Talk to strangers

I will ask you what might sound as a very strange question. When was the last time you talked to a stranger? Not out of necessity but, spontaneously, or out of curiosity?

In an age defined by digital convenience and efficiency, genuine curiosity and interest in others seem to be quietly slipping away from everyday life. Automated checkouts, messaging apps, and virtual interactions (all wonderful tools, that were supposed to get us closer to distant friends) are steadily reducing the chance for spontaneous conversations, the kind that demand our attention and openness, and let us see life beyond our own bubble – after all, how can you engage in a conversation in a simple shopping queue, if everyone is instantly neck down, looking at a screen? Society increasingly prioritizes efficiency (and simple, instant dopamine rewards, let me tell you) over connection, and the art of engaging with someone purely out of sincere curiosity is becoming rarer.​

Yet, this authentic curiosity is a powerful force for growth and understanding. When we pause and show real interest in another person’s story, we open ourselves to experiences that would otherwise remain inaccessible. By listening deeply (and this is an art that demands concentration and attention), we momentarily step into a different reality and allow ourselves to marvel at new perspectives, traditions, and ideas; it’s like glimpsing the world’s richness through a fresh lens. My father is a (not-very-self-aware) master of this, as he is genuinely interested in talking with all kinds of persons, and is able to listen and have meaningful conversations with board members, astrophysics and country-shepherds alike – the richness of conversation that would then flood our family dinners (also because my mother was and is his match on them) shaped me and my brother’s minds forever. ​

Each time we connect with someone and truly engage with their story, we’re reminded of how remarkable and diverse human experience really is – and we build up the way we think, to become more open, considerate of other’s experiences and lives. These exchanges encourage empathy, foster inclusion, and broaden our understanding of what it means to belong to a community – or, actually, even simpler, to be human. In a time when disconnection and incuriosity are on the rise, making space for these conversations brings back wonder, mutual respect, and the joy of discovery, breaking society bubbles that imprison us – setting us free to understand the diversity of human thoughts and lives.