I’ve recently started working at a new toy store that just opened in Elmwood, California, where we get a lot of eager customers who come in to let us know how excited they are about the store opening, to welcome us to the neighborhood, and to tell us about their favorite toys (both adults and children). Since starting his job, I’ve come to appreciate having conversations with strangers on a daily basis.
Speaking with people I’ve never met before almost always leaves me feeling excited and fulfilled because it’s rewarding to be reminded that there are tons of kind people out there. It’s so easy to get swept up in the volatility and competitiveness of today’s culture, falling into the trap of believing everyone in the world is inconsiderate and selfish.Â
Additionally, when you fall out with a friend, it can make you feel like there’s no hope of forming any sort of redemptive relationship in its place, and that everyone you meet is uninterested in making new connections. However, when you get the opportunity to converse with strangers, you gain a new perspective. There are many people out there that you haven’t met, and you never know when you might come across someone who proves that nice people still exist. It’s never too late to form meaningful relationships.
Recently, when I was walking down the street with my friend, a woman passed by us and said, “You guys look so pretty, enjoy this sunny day!” It was so simple, yet this encounter proves that sometimes an interaction with a stranger can be as limited as a one-line compliment.
Any sort of kindness shown between two people who’ve never met before is very rewarding and has the potential to make one or both people’s day (I know the compliment that woman gave me made my day). It’s also a good reminder to project the same kindness in your day-to-day life, because everyone has the power to make someone happy. You could be the stranger that reminds someone else that humanity is not all bad.
Talking with strangers also reminds me how easy it is to make connections with others over the most simple things. For example, the other day, a woman came into the toy store and asked if we had any toy Volkswagen cars. I pointed them out to her and she told me she loves collecting them. She also told me she wasn’t supposed to buy anything, but she really wanted to buy the car to make herself happy. I told her I loved to treat myself and that she should do the same. She was so glad I validated her feelings that she asked for my name and we chatted for a few more minutes.
Our interaction reminded me that it’s easy to bond over something as trivial as buying ourselves a little treat. It was a wake up call to the fact that there are many people out there who are open to forming new connections, making me realize I don’t need to get bogged down at the loss of other friendships.
Overall, sharing a conversation with a stranger often means acknowledging all the people in the world you’re meant to connect with but haven’t met yet. Such a recognition has always left me feeling gratified and with a new sense of hope for my future relationships.