The surprising benefits of talking to strangers

You are in your local supermarket and have a choice. You can use the self-service checkout, or you can wait in line for the till. One option is faster. The other might make your day better. Which do you choose?

Today, life is very convenient. We can shop online, order food from screens, and use online banking. Because of this, many people do not need to talk to others every day. Some people work from home; others use their phones or wear headphones in public. Since the pandemic, some people are in the habit of keeping their distance from others.

However, talking to strangers can be a good thing. Scientists have studied this idea. They asked people to talk to others on public transport. At first, many people felt nervous. They thought the conversation would be uncomfortable. But after talking, they said they enjoyed it. They felt happier, and their commute was more interesting.

Talking to new people can also help us learn. Every person knows something different. They can give useful tips, share stories, or tell us about new places. For people learning a language, this is very helpful. Speaking with others helps you practise and feel more confident.

So, next time you are sitting on a bench or at a bus shelter, look around. Is there someone you can talk to? A simple “hello” can start a conversation. You might learn something new—or just have a better day.

The surprising benefits of talking to strangers

You walk to the end of the aisle at your local supermarket, and you're faced with a choice. The self-service checkout, empty and ready to go, or a queue for the till with a couple of people in it. One of these options will save you 5 minutes. The other has the potential to brighten your day. Which one do you choose?

With so many conveniences these days — online shopping, touchscreens in restaurants, and banking apps — are we losing something? More people than ever can live their daily lives without speaking to anyone. This is especially true with the rise of working from home, mobile phones, and headphones to keep us listening to music or podcasts when we're on the go. After the pandemic, many people through habit still avoid sitting close to others.

However, researchers have found many benefits to talking to strangers. Behavioural scientists Nicholas Epley and Juliana Schroeder at the University of Chicago asked commuters to speak to people next to them at bus shelters, on trains, and even on the notoriously unfriendly London Underground. The results were surprising. Participants said the conversations were interesting and enjoyable. They also felt happier during their journey.

Talking to strangers can also help us learn new things. As the famous science communicator Bill Nye said, “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” People can share useful tips, stories, or ideas. For language learners, this is especially important. Spontaneous conversations with strangers can improve your confidence and fluency. Not to mention that the more people you speak to, the more new words and expressions you can learn.

So, are you reading this on your phone while killing time on a park bench? Or perhaps you're sitting on a stool in your local cafe? Look up. Who can you speak to? A simple conversation might make your day better—and theirs too.

The surprising benefits of talking to strangers

You've finished loading up your trolley at the local supermarket and are faced with a choice: the self-service checkout, efficient and impersonal, or stand behind a few people in the queue for the till. One option will save you five minutes. The other holds the potential to brighten your day. Which do you choose?

In an era defined by convenience — online shopping, touchscreens in restaurants, and online banking apps — it is worth considering what might be disappearing along with the time we save. It is increasingly possible to move through an entire day without exchanging a single word with another human being. Remote work, smartphones, and the world of headphones and podcasts have all contributed to a more self-contained way of living. Even with the pandemic long behind us, for many people a degree of hesitation still lingers when faced with the idea of parking themselves next to a stranger.

And yet, research suggests that these missed interactions matter more than we might expect. Behavioural scientists Nicholas Epley and Juliana Schroeder conducted a series of studies in which commuters were encouraged to strike up conversations with strangers at bus shelters, on train journeys, and even on the notoriously frosty London Underground. The assumption, for many participants, was that such interactions would be awkward or unwelcome. In reality, the opposite proved true: conversations were consistently described as interesting, pleasant, and participants said their journeys were more enjoyable as a result.

Beyond improving our mood, speaking to strangers can expand our understanding of the world. As the well-known science communicator Bill Nye once remarked, “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” This could mean new insight, practical advice, or simply a break from the views and opinions of our own circle. For language learners in particular, the more people you speak to, the more chance you have of picking up new words or idiomatic expressions. Not to mention that these encounters provide an invaluable opportunity to practise spontaneously and authentically.

So, the next time you find yourself killing time on a park bench or sitting on a stool in your local café — look up from your phone. Exchange a few words. Will it be the start of a beautiful friendship? Probably not. But it could make your day, and someone else's.

Now answer the questions in the Comprehension section.

Comprehension: Check your understanding

Choose the best option.

Interview: Listen to more about the topic

Think about your answers to the following questions. Then listen to somebody answering the same questions. Were your answers similar?  

• In general, do you prefer using apps for everyday tasks, or speaking to a real person?
• In your country or city, do people usually talk to strangers in public?
• When was the last time you had a conversation with a stranger?
• Have you ever had an interesting or memorable conversation with a stranger?

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