<story><title>My three-year-old has taught me the value of talking to strangers</title><url>https://www.economist.com/1843/2021/04/20/my-three-year-old-has-taught-me-the-value-of-talking-to-strangers</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>dorkwood</author><text>I used to be someone who would talk to strangers everywhere I went. As a teenager who frequently took a train between cities, I found it interesting to talk to non-teenagers and hear their stories. They always seemed delighted to be talking to a younger person, too. Then one day, an older person I was sitting next to groped me while I was talking to them. Then the same thing happened to me on a plane. I don&amp;#x27;t talk to strangers anymore. I find that giving off &amp;quot;don&amp;#x27;t talk to me&amp;quot; vibes is best for my personal safety.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>4gotunameagain</author><text>Yeah but isn&amp;#x27;t it sad to shut the whole world off because of a couple of assholes?&lt;p&gt;I take the approach of being friendly with everyone, and if they prove to be weirdos or assholes, I immediately switch.&lt;p&gt;Of course it could be considered more risky, and I have been groped myself, but I think it&amp;#x27;s worth the risk. I find the alternative dehumanizing.</text></comment>
<story><title>My three-year-old has taught me the value of talking to strangers</title><url>https://www.economist.com/1843/2021/04/20/my-three-year-old-has-taught-me-the-value-of-talking-to-strangers</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>dorkwood</author><text>I used to be someone who would talk to strangers everywhere I went. As a teenager who frequently took a train between cities, I found it interesting to talk to non-teenagers and hear their stories. They always seemed delighted to be talking to a younger person, too. Then one day, an older person I was sitting next to groped me while I was talking to them. Then the same thing happened to me on a plane. I don&amp;#x27;t talk to strangers anymore. I find that giving off &amp;quot;don&amp;#x27;t talk to me&amp;quot; vibes is best for my personal safety.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>ARandomerDude</author><text>Out of curiosity, are you male or female?  I&amp;#x27;ve found that a lot of people mistake female friendliness for flirtatious behavior.  Not saying it&amp;#x27;s right, just saying it seems like a common issue.</text></comment>