We always see so many strangers when we are travelling and often don't communicate with many of them. But have you ever connected with a stranger who you felt you could just about share your deepest, darkest secret with. Or you could spend hours upon hours chatting to them because you found them so interesting, knowing you will probably never see or hear from them ever again. Possibly even that Good Samaritan that did something for you totally unexpected or someone you shared a hilarious moment with.
We were in Mauritius at the time, sitting at the dinner table perusing the drinks menu and discussing what we could afford to drink, because dinner was part of the package, but drinks were extra and money was a bit tight at that stage of our lives. The couple at the table next to us must have overheard us, because not long after some cocktails arrived at our table. We told our waiter we hadn't ordered cocktails but he said it came with compliments from the next table. We were so taken aback by such a kind gesture from total strangers and unfortunately we couldn't reciprocate, but that didn't phase them at all.
Tell us your experience!
Reply to this That is a lovely story. I have so many stories to share about connecting with people when travelling. Not that this is dedicated to restaurant stories, but in Erbil, Iraq, I was eating dinner on my own, and two Iraqi brothers invited me to sit with them in order that I do not eat alone. Despite that experience being in February this year, we still chat over Facebook and even Skype. Thankfully technology makes keeping in contact with people who you share such experiences with much easier.
Reply to this A few years ago, I was sitting next to a woman my age on a plane. We had exchanged pleasantries (as you do) but for most of the trip we did the typical airplane 'stranger ignore.'
It wasn't until we took turns going to the WC that we struck up a conversation, and in a very short period of time it was like I was speaking with someone I had known all my life. We had this odd connection I can't exactly put my thumb on, but it gave me goosebumps! Unfortunately, we were so distracted that we forgot to exchange our information. What a pity. I can't even remember her name now. Somehow, I think we would have been lifelong friends.
I promised myself never again to do the stranger ignore thing on buses, planes, boats, waiting areas, or lineups. Bonus, I've become a pro at reading body language, as not everyone is receptive to stranger chat. And that's okay. 95% of the people I have struck up convos with have been the most fascinating people I have ever met.
Next time you are waiting at a gate or sitting on a bus, have a look around. It's shocking. Our society has become so self absorbed and disengaged with all our electronic gadgets and gizmos. Put them down and make the effort to say hi. You never know who you might meet!
Reply to this Dave and I have made many friends this way. We both enjoy talking to new people. As Andrea pointed out there are people who are not interested in stranger chat but we have found them to be in the minority.
I can share a couple of stories now and more later.
In 1990, I was traveling NZ for a month by myself traveling on buses and living in youth hostels. One day in Dunedin, while visiting the Albatross Colony I started talking with a girl from Japan. We chatted for about 30 minutes. It turned out we were both nurses and traveling alone. It was a pleasant conversation. A few days later we ran into each other in Aukland- we were staying in the same hostel. We ended up spending two days together exploring and becoming friends. From there we became pen pals. We wrote for years. She ended up marrying an American and moving to California. We continue to write and are fortunate enough to spend time with her and her husband fairly frequently. A real friendship was born.
Two years ago, Dave and I were heading to the Northern California coast for a romantic weekend. We stopped in Healdsburg for a nice breakfast in a French pastry restaurant. The gentleman at the next table asked what we had ordered and a conversation ensued. It turns out he was from New Castle, England and in the states for 4 months for work. He had just arrived and was out exploring. We traded email and phone numbers and suggested we get together and show him around. We became fast friends. It was like we had been friends for ages. We have a deep connection him and his wife. We get together and we can't stop talking. He spent Thanksgiving dinner with us and while we were in the Shetland Islands we met his son.
In 2004, we had run away from work and were enjoying a couple of weeks on a quiet, isolated island in Fiji. In the dining room at night we'd smile and nod politely at other guest at nearby tables. One afternoon we were out on the beach and got to talking with two of the guys who normally sit at a table near us. One of the guys was waiting for his sister to arrive from a nearby island where she was vacationing. That conversation knocked the walls down and we became friends. We've kept in touch. They came to Scotland in 2005 to hang out with us when we were in Edinburgh. We visited them in London when we returned from our around the world trip in 2007. We hope to see them again next year. We write and call frequently. We have a very strong connection.
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In response to: Msg #175311 Shane, we too have met many people over the years that we have stayed friends with, even if we live far apart and don't see them. This technological era certainly makes it far easier to stay in touch.
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In response to: Msg #175324 So true, Andrea, that we often tend to just exchange pleasantries with those we pass or sit next to as we travel. Sound advice from you that I think we should all follow. You never know when you may miss out on a very interesting person, with so a wealth of information or tales to share!
Reply to this Several - Of special note, I was dropped off by myself on a beach the middle of nowhere in N.Sulawesi by a driver who spoke little english to wait for a boat to Bangka island. There was a family gathering of around 15 people having a picnic on the beach. Only one young teen spoke english well, some had a few words, but not many. They saw me sitting nervously on my divebag and invited me to join there bbq. They fed me corn on the cob, were offended when I tried to pay and laughed a lot at my big nose which one of the ladies thought was very sexy because it could hold eyeglasses where hers was flat. Instead of freaking out at being dumped alone I had a great time waiting the couple of hours til the boat finally showed up - I wrote about them in a Blog.
In Bora Bora a lovely lady named Robyn who books tours for the cruise shippers at the pier was initially quite guarded because she didnt know whether to talk to me or try and sell me something. She became a really helpful friend - would ring my hotel room each evening to see if I needed anything and would know who my lift of the day had been (coconut telegraph). She is a choctaw indian lady married to a lovely man living out her dream and one of the highlights of my short time was stopping in at their insistance for lunch in their home and leaving loaded up with black pearls, polynesian carvings, candied mangos, bananas and a couple of pareos she insisted I take. My quick visit lasted about 6 hours and really showed me the other side of Bora Bora. I keep in contact with her via facebook and have sent her copies of books like Rabbit Proof Fence as she is fascinated with Aus but knows she wont make it here without a financial miracle. I think being around the same age and having someone to talk to other than a cruise shipper poking money in your face and demanding a discount made the connection easy for her.
And I will always be totally in love with Marie at the Pension in Rangiroa - facebook chats - until next time.
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