Thursday, December 14, 2017

Only friends you haven't met

The way we behave when it comes to interaction with strangers is basically determined by our personal background. But would it be possible to neutralise all the factors conditioning our reactions when we come close to unknow people?

Listen to Kio Stark's talk about talking to strangers and its possible effects.


Share your own experiences and reflections on the topic.

2 comments:

  1. I usually take the bus to go to school or to the academy. when I am waiting the bus or I am on the street and someone makes conversation about something, like asking for something or simply make a comment, I have a good sense for a moment and for a second, I feel alive. When I have a conversation with strangers,I´m not sure why but like the lecture said I´m confortable talking with him and I don´t mind what he think,maybe because I know that it´s very probably not to see him again. But I have to say that I don´t feel the same with anyone, it depends of the person too,because there are people who cause me insecurity for his appearance or because he is a foreigner. Probably, this may be due what the lecture says about the different cultures and contexts in which we are in each moment and that influence when we have a conversation with someone. People with different culture behave different because of that, and that difference can cause us reject. In my opinion we all are individuals and with caution we must try to understand and know the rest of people without the culture of each one being an impediment.

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  2. Everyday you meet hundreds of people on your way to work.
    That is how I got to know a charming man who used to smile and wave to me whenever we glanced at each other from a distance.
    During a few months I smiled at that man who I had apparently met before . As he started to greet me warmly, I found myself showing tenderness and kindness to him.
    One day I realised I had no idea who that man was, so I decided I would approach the stranger and find out.
    - Hi! How are you?
    - Fine!, he gently said.
    - Sorry ... I am a bit confused ... I am really absent minded ... I can't recognise you. I do not remember where we first met.
    - Actually we do not know each other formally, he replied.
    I must have blushed in shame in front of that "new friend".
    I must admit I felt a bit frightened and surprised by his honesty at the same time. I apologised and left in haste.
    Luckily I moved out the next month, so the way to work now was different -it was opposite direction!
    I tried to forget all of this until the summer when I came across with him while walking along the beach.
    This time I said goodbye in such a cold way so that he could not display any sign of affection.
    I wonder if this was a stupid behaviour. Probably.
    I just thought I was doing the right thing.

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