Like some people you may know (or maybe like you), my wife will spark up a conversation with a random stranger, especially if she overhears a topic that she’s interested in or if she sees something that she likes. [Increased likelihood if it’s Disney related.]
But is there a science to talking with strangers?
So I was curious if this is something that might scale and have wellness benefits… and the short answer is yes.
I found this article in Psychology Today that highlighted a study in the Journal of Happiness Studies that people who spoke with the bus driver on the bus had more positive mood and life satisfaction, compared to people who did not talk with the driver. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-practice/202008/surprising-benefits-safely-chatting-strangers
This BBC article covered a book called “The Power of Strangers”, with my most noteworthy additional takeaway is that ..talking to strangers can also make us wiser, more worldly, and more empathetic according to Harvard Professor Danielle Allen. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20221026-why-talking-to-strangers-can-make-us-happier
With this in mind, a quick summary of what else I learned was that talking with strangers can help to boost mood, increase sense of belonging, reduce anxiety, help you get insights into another culture, leads to more unique experiences if you’re traveling and talk with locals, and it can help to improve cognitive function.
So consider talking more with strangers (safely) and open up a new world of possibilities.
The Toward Wellth Twist… Table Topics
So some people may still not have the most comfort with just randomly speaking with strangers - (stranger danger!) - and for the shy or for the people who really enjoy speaking with strangers, the following is a design aspect of the common area for ‘less busy’ times…
We will set up a table or two every evening that is dedicated to chatting about a preset topic - (a “table topic”). The tables will be configured for 4-6 people [likely].
Those tables are “communal seating” and the goal is to get better perspective of others’ insights while sharing your own experience on a particular topic.
The noteworthy observations about each topic from each table will be able to be written down or digitally submitted throughout the day, with groupthink providing interesting insights.
Top insights from each topic can be made into either posts on this substack or win short form Wellth Talks (the TW version of TEDTalks).
Who knows … someday someone might definitively answer the question of “is it better to do the Giant Eagle fuel perks program or the Shop N Save one to soften the cost of gas?”
Or other questions that have no right answer, such as:
Where is the best travel destinations within a 3 hour car drive from Pittsburgh?
What are the current most relatable shows on television?
What types of food do you make for your children with picky eating habits?
What other topics would you sit down at a table with a stranger to discuss or debate? Put it in the comments below!
The desired outcome of this activity will be to build new friendships and to meet people in the community that were previously not even acquaintances… in addition to all of the benefits mentioned earlier.