A question in asklatinamerica just got me thinking about this, I visited Washington, DC back in 2016 and I had a couple of strangers, mostly older men, strike chit chat with me and my family while walking around the city or riding a bus, this came as a bit of a culture shock because this kind of thing is very unusual in Paraguay, my home country, where I’d be suspicious of a stranger just approaching me in public for no apparent reason, actually kind of funny to think about since latin america has this reputation of being extremely outgoing.
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Small conversations assuming you’re in the same place for an extended period of time.
Pretty common here in East Tennessee. Its usually about the weather or some shared experience you are both going through at that particular moment.
Very normal, an every day occurrence.
Yes, it’s very common throughout the US
It’s called small talk
Yeah, it’s very common in Hawaii. In fact, it’s a part of [our state laws.](https://www.hawaii.edu/uhwo/clear/home/lawaloha.html)
Yeah it’s very normal here, to the point foreigners complain about it.
I chat with strangers all the time. Dog park. Supermarket checkout. Hiking trails. Bars.
“Beer and chips in your cart? Big party tonight?”
Of course. Most people are very kind. Small talk is the norm.
Very normal, but mostly falls under two categories:
(1) You are close to each other for an extended period (public transportation depending on city, next to each other at an event or a bar).
(2) The small talk is about a particular common interest (like dog owners making small talk with each other).
a little. it mostly depends on the location/situation/proximity. for example if someone just came up to me in the grocery store or something and started talking that would be weird but if im like waiting in a long line it’s common to talk a bit with the people around you.
I live in the deep south where we talk to everyone: cashiers, passengers, people in restaurants, on the streets. It’s friendly and non-threatening to have short conversations.
Pretty normal.
Most people are just trying to live their life. It also helps that most people aren’t looking for things from other people. When I am in a country like Spain, Italy or Mexico and someone approaches me, it’s always because they want to sell me something or beg for a handout.
You meet the average person on the street here and they’re just trying to live their life. Chances are that you’re in a similar life situation to them, so there’s not a lot to gain from begging or trying to sell something.
You will run into those types in certain situations and errands, but if you’re in a store or on the bus, you’re living a parallel existence.
Just enjoy it.
Fairly common in southern Indiana.
As an extrovert as can have a meaningful conversation, beyond small talk, with anyone anywhere. I love talking to new people. With that said I’ll never single someone out and approach them. That’s just creepy. But yeah if we’re sitting on the same bench or waiting for a train or something… hello new bestie!
Yes. An everyday occurrence. Carrying on basic conversations is considered basic manners.
I try to start conversations whenever I’ve had a few drinks. It can be hit or miss. It’s always small talk, sports or business depending on the moment. Some people are weirded out, others engage. Women usually think I’m hitting on them (understandable) but there have still been times where the conversation took off
Where I live now, yes, but I’m honestly super surprised this story is about DC. I suppose older men do tend to be chattier but DC is definitely not known for being a friendly city.
I understand the cultural awkwardness or it being off-putting. But I love that we do that in the US. Why not learn something about a stranger if you have the time? We only have one life, we should learn as much as possible
Yes. This is a US thing, and it’s part of our daily lives.
We are very friendly, and while we have large personal space bubbles all considered, we like to chat and are pretty open and casual.
Yes, its a regular occurrence. Today actually I stopped by the store after work to grab some beer and an old man standing next to me in the aisle randomly recommended his favorite to me and we had a quick exchange. Stuff like that is pretty normal.
It’s an every day occurrence here in the South of the US. Many of us even consider it rude *not* to strike up a small chat when the opportunity presents itself.
I’m from the Midwest. Small talk with strangers is my religion.
Doing it with New Englanders is basically just dunking on them.
You watch them grit their teeth, tamp down the rage, crush it into a white hot ball of rage and drown it with alcohol or opioids.
They then politely say “oh yes I do love this store and the weather is nice.”
Their internal monologue is all murderous but I just ask them how their family is to cause them to completely melt down and hate me forever.
In places that don’t talk to strangers I’m always curious how anyone ever gets to know anyone else and become not strangers anymore. Like, how do you make friends?
I have a young kid, so anytime I take him anywhere I chat with the other parents. Partly to pass the time, but mostly to feel out potential new parent friends that I can add to our circle. It’s nice to have other folks to go do things with, like go to the playground, or the zoo. If I never talked to anyone, how would I foster any friendships for myself or my kids?
Happens to me constantly when I’m out walking my dog and most other places I go.