This morning I was reading a blog post by Richard Branson entitled “Do Talk to Strangers.” It seems his son went to Hawaii to go surfing but returned home when no-one would talk to him. I found that to be a sad commentary on life. I am basically a shy person, so initiating conversations with strangers can be difficult. If people are not open to the conversation then it makes it even harder.
One of the wonderful things about traveling is the interactions with people, especially the people who live and work in the places we are visiting. These conversations open a window into a whole new world and the daily life of the people in those places we visit. On a recent trip to Arizona, we met some very talented artists who invited us into their homes and work areas. Not only did we learn about their art, we caught a glimpse into their life on the reservation, their religious beliefs and their families.
I love traveling with Ann, because she loves to interact with people and she is not shy about it. Children seem to come out of the woodwork to say hello to her and their parents tend to follow. She meets people everywhere and at times these complete strangers become lifelong friends. Her ability to talk to anyone makes travel fun and different. You just never know who she will meet. For instance, she met group of nuns in Ecuador who knew some of her elementary school teachers in Scottsdale. On another trip to Fiji, she was invited to go down to the river with a group of local village ladies to cool off and gossip. I am envious of her ability to always say hello and start a conversation with a stranger.
As many of you know, her conversations can lead to wonderful opportunities. Our school project where we carry school supplies to the places we visit started with a conversation with some of the local staff at one of the dive resorts. There is no reason we cannot emulate her openness to a conversation. Of course we have to be careful, but for an adult, rarely is a simple conversation a risk. It is sad that we ask our children to “not talk to strangers” because some “strangers” have a lot of information and stories that are interesting and fun. But, this warning should not apply to adults.
Don’t miss out on the stories and adventurers that people have to tell. Say hello to people you meet. Practice talking to people at home so you will feel more comfortable in foreign countries. At least be open to a conversation with a stranger; your life will be enriched.
