Approaching strangers

[Pumpkin]

So sometime this year I'm supposed to approach someone at a book store and ask what they're reading. I'm also supposed to just hi-five some random person on the street. I chose these things to do to help me step out of my comfort zone, but I am of course terrified to do these things!

Are you good at approaching strangers? Do you do it often? Would you consider hi-fiving or even hugging a random person for funsies one day?

[Mo-Nercy]

I've done the bookstore one before. A girl looked like she was really into a particular manga (to the point of audibly going "woah!" and omgeeing) so to satisfy my curiousity, I asked her what she was reading. It was Chobits. Which was a bit anticlimactic.

I've high-fived and hugged random people at the football. That moment of euphoria when someone scores or just after a big win does away with the awkwardness.

I could also imagine myself asking for a high-five on the streets and getting it rather easily. Probably a hug too. I'm pretty cuddly looking.

[Shauna]

>Approaching anyone I am not 100% comfortable around

haha okay

[Night Fury]

I used to be weird about it, but then I started a job where I HAD to do it, and once you do it like 8 hours a day 4 days a week it becomes pretty easy.

[Pumpkin]

I'm much better at it when there's a purpose for it. If I don't have a specific purpose, I'm just super awkward.

Like we had an event in the town I lived in a few years back where people wore a 'Free Hugs" sign because one guy did it and it caught on and they made it a Free Hug Day. So that day I had no problem with it. It was like yay, free hugs! But just doing it our nowhere would feel kinda... weird

[Araciel]

A stranger's just a friend you haven't met.

[noxious.sunshine]

I talk to strangers if I need help with directions.Or if they have a really cute dog. Or ... yeah.

It's so odd.. 9x out of 10, when I'm flying, I wind up talking to someone in my row for almost the length of the flight. If I'm not passed out in my seat, that is.

And sometimes I'll chat with the cashiers at Wal-Mart and Target for a bit.

I guess I'm really turning into my parents.. My dad chit chats with practically everyone when he's out and about.

But also, I've been working in restaurants for the better part of 6 years, so there's that.

[metagloria]

Mama told me not to talk to strangers.

Seriously though I don't do this. I hate small talk and I'm socially awkward and I don't want to go meet people.

If I'm in a crowded place with very few people I know, I'll just end up standing off in the corner by myself waiting for someone to come talk to me. (Which, oddly enough, is how I met my wife.)

[Shorty]

I think I get approached more than I actually approach, but I will approach people. I think that "approach" is maybe even too strong of a word - engaging in quick, casual conversation with a stranger is more like it. When I lived in California, I met a guy in my neighborhood getting out of a car that had Utah license plates on it. I commented on the fact that I'm from Utah, too, and we had a quick little chat and would always wave to eachother when we'd see eachother. It was a nice little stranger/acquaintance kind of friendship.

I often tell people at concerts and shows that I like their hair/outfit/shoes/think they look great. If I saw someone in a bookstore or movie store carrying something I liked, I would tell them. I usually chat to people at registers when checking out for coffee or something. Girls have forever been stopping me in restrooms (and even at a gas station once) to tell me that they like my hair. I've had comments on shoes and outfits from strangers. It's nice.

I do deal with social anxiety, but it doesn't bother me when it's just in passing with strangers, I guess. Locked into a specific social situation, though, like a gathering or party or bar or something where you're expected to be social is where it gets me. Unexpected social encounters or little passing engagements with strangers are usually pleasant.

[escobert]

I really don't enjoy interacting with my friends let alone people I don't know.

[Christmas]

[Alive-Cat]

I approach strangers and do nice/weird things when out a lot especially if everybody is drinking. On a normal day like say I'm walking to the shop to buy sweeties then no way!

[Formalhaut]

There's like this odd times where I get a sudden rush of bravery and manage to do it, but pretty much all other times I'm quite timid. Heck, I get my boyfriend to purchase the bus ticket from the bus driver because I don't want to ask him (same with ordering food as well).

I wish I could be more brave and ask strangers things and so on, but I'm quite scared of rejection and having the stranger go "um, who are you? Go away you weirdo" to me or something.

[Shiny]

Almost hi-fived someone today for wearing a Power Rangers shirt and being over the age of twelve.

[Ayen]

I'm pretty shy and reserved, so no. I don't do this. I'll talk if someone strike up a conversation with me, but I'll rarely be the one to start the conversation.