We've all heard the classic saying from our parents, "Don't talk to strangers." Strangers are dangerous, they can hurt you, exploit you, kidnap you, kill you, etc. But, aren't we all strangers to one another? I'm not going to kidnap anybody, or kill anyone; at most I'll irritably tell someone to go away. My point is, a stranger is more than just a stranger, they are an opportunity, and if you're careful, a possible friend.
When talking to strangers there are rules and guidelines to follow to keep yourself safe, because as much as I hate to admit it, strangers can still be dangerous. The first rule to follow is to always talk in a public place; never down a dark ally, on an empty street, or in the middle of a forest. The mall is always an excellent place to start!
The second rule to follow is to make sure you have a friend with you! Your friend doesn't have to talk to the stranger with you, they can stand back and watch to make sure you stay safe. Perhaps they could crouch behind a rack of clothes in a store or casually stand against a wall with some sunglasses on. #inconspicuous
Finally, I know you should never judge a book by it's cover, but when talking to strangers, don't talk to scary looking people. I'm talking about the super old guys and gals strolling along that specific aisle in Spencer's (you know the one I'm talking about). Perhaps try to avoid individuals outside of your specific age range just to keep things safe!
Now, if you follow all of the rules above, you are ready to start your friend making adventure! First, you must choose your target. Perhaps you can choose your target based on the fact that they look nice, but the best thing to do is spot something about them you have in common. Perhaps they are wearing a Panic! At the Disco shirt and maybe you love that band, too. Maybe they are eating your favorite kind of ice cream from Dairy Queen! Or maybe you are wearing the same shoes as them. (It doesn't matter if you find something, but I highly suggest it.)
Next, walk casually up to the person and mention this thing you noticed; make sure you sound enthusiastic about it! For example, "Hey! OMG I totally noticed that you're wearing a Panic! At the Disco Shirt! I love that band, too!" After this, ask an open ended question about that topic such as, "What's your favorite song by them?" or "Why do you like them so much?" Doing this will ignite further conversation.
After talking for a while you can introduce yourself and ask who they are. Then, you can continue to talk about anything until you are about to part. Right as you are about to turn away, ask "Oh! Before I forget, do you have an Instagram, or Twitter, or something? You're pretty cool!"
You either get it or you don't, and then you walk away! You can continue to talk to them on this social media platform (if you got it from them) and become closer friends! Perhaps meet up again later on to talk and hang out! Again, make sure you follow the rules and meet in public places until you know exactly who they are.
Remember, following these steps isn't a sure way to meet new people. Some individuals are cranky or shy and just don't want to talk. Respect this and just move on to your next target.
There are so many interesting people in the world with their own unique way of thinking and doing things! It's always a fun thing to expand your horizons and meet these unique individuals. Just be safe and smart when doing it!
