User Comments

1. 

   4/20/09

   Sam1982

   Because its harder to trust someone you don't know. But on that note everyone is a stranger until you meet them.

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2. 

   4/20/09

   HolisticMommy

   Because I've always been shy. However, if someone initiates the conversation, then you can't shut me up
   
   Or it may be that I begin to talk to the person next to me who responds with, "have you got any spare change?"

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3. 

   4/20/09

   jflower36

   I think it depends on where you grow up. I'm from the L.A. area and there are a lot of weirdos here. When strangers talk to me there is sometimes an alternative motive. I went to school in Alabama and everyone talked to everyone. It took me some time to get used to that, but it is nice, and there is a more of a home town feel. People trust each other because for the most part everyone watches out for each other.
   
   I don't use public transportation but a friend of mine does. She told me that her daily ride consists of gang bangers and strange people. One guy followed her home and switched back and forth between serenading her and jumping out at people and yelling at them like a crazy lunatic. She pretty much puts her head phones on and goes into her own world. That's what I'd do in that situation too!

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   1. 

      4/21/09

      itSAMEERacle

      That is so true actually.... I made a documentary about the craziest things that people have had happen to them or soon on LA public transportation. One person was got slapped because he didnt give some dude a high five. Another guy saw some girl using a vibrator behind him. One guy I interviewed told me how these people got off the bus and started streaking in front of it. And then your average poop/piss in the pants-people. Lots of interesting stories.
4. 

   4/21/09

   satijournal

   Personally, I'd rather strangers didn't come up and talk to me.

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5. 

   4/21/09

   MadameX

   I don't think most people are "afraid" of strangers or avoid "talking to strangers" in that sort of context (or as adults at all). We've simply become a society very cut off from communication with those around us. I'd be hard put to have a conversation with someone on public transportation because it would be difficult to find someone not wearing an iPod or texting a mile a minute or talking on the telephone--or sometimes more than one of those things. I especially dislike the iPods, which make casuel comment impossible...a person has to take out an ear bud and ask you to repeat yourself if you sya "excuse me" when passing.

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6. 

   4/21/09

   exit2013

   I'm not afraid of strangers per-say. I'm just not very talkative!
   Face-to-face that is. I know that sounded strange.

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7. 

   4/21/09

   jefftompkins71

   You know the phrase "never met a stranger" in which people are trying to express the idea that the person they're talking about is nice to everyone? Well, what they really mean is that the person runs away from strangers. Don't let them fool you.

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8. 

   4/21/09

   Floormodel

   because I'm 4' 11" and not terrible strong. I'm iffy on strangers but not rude or mean, just careful

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9. 

   4/21/09

   jafabrit

   Why does it have to be presumed one is afraid of strangers?
   Some people enjoy casual conversation, some don't, some enjoy commute time as the time to mentally prepare for the day, and some enjoy strangers striking up conversations, and some enjoy blabbing on without any consideration for others.
   
   Time and place has a lot to do with it, and as friendly as I am, and as easy as I find it to talk to strangers, when flying home to England I want to be left alone. I don't enjoy hearing the people behind me blather on about their hobbies or bowel movements, and I don't enjoy having my peaceful reading disturbed by those who can't entertain themselves and need to talk my ear off.

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10. 

    4/21/09

    Anok

    I'm not afraid of strangers at all.
    
    I am, however cautious around strangers and not-well-known-acquaintances in certain situations. I would not trust even a familiar person (but not close-friend) in a dark alley, late at night, with no one but ourselves. I believe in "the buddy system". But in a restaurant, well lit public area, with lots of other strangers around? I wouldn't have a problem at all.
    
    I should add - that tehre is a difference between a true stranger (someone you know nothing about) and a friendly-ish stranger (someone you have mutual friends with, work with, or have some regular contact with, but don't know them personally).
    
    The first one you know absolutely nothing about them, and are probably not going to strike up anything meaningful on the spot - nor should you. Most people meet and make friends through the second type of "stranger", because you have a point of reference, you know at least a little something about them, or other people who can provide you with some insight about the person.

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11. 

    4/21/09

    rodaniels

    City people talk with strangers all the time. It's part of the flow. Suburbanites, that's another story. It's get into the car go to hub A and return to hub B and don't talk to anyone ever. It's crazy. I need to get back to a City again.

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    1. 

       4/21/09

       EntrepreneurNovice

       Well it depends. In Paris you would really see some stranger talk to another stranger.
12. 

    4/21/09

    itSAMEERacle

    I don't talk to many strangers because I fear judgment and cooties.
    
    No but really I actually many times talk to random people but I sorta chose to stop because nobody really seems cool with that. I think it is just because people instantly put up defenses when someone they do not know approaches them. And it seems whenever a guy talks to a girl at random he has to be hitting on her or something.

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