Talk to Strangers Honey.... | Redefine The Experience

Talk To Strangers Honey…

On June 8, 2009, In Adventures, Curiosity, by staff

So look, interesting does not come from greatness. Interesting comes from conflict.

–Penelope Trunk, Brazen Careerist

My challenge to you today is to strike up a conversation with a stranger – complete and total. Once you have a firm subject matter – fuck it up and throw a curve ball. The result you’ll get is guaranteed to be unexpected and have you grinning the rest of the day.

There’ll have to be a little bit of structure here to gain the most benefit from this “Break Out of Your Path and Taste the Adventure” challenge. (Yes, that title sucks so get creative and leave a more proper one in the comments section.) So here it goes:

BENEFIT: You will become an interesting person of Royalty. How can this be?

One who explores others becomes more interesting themselves.

One may learn about a subject / activity they had no idea existed. If the exercise is done weekly you’ll have limitless conversation starters at boring cocktail parties. A crown and throne will soon be bestowed upon you as “His/Her Royal Highness World Traveler via the Human Condition.” Crowns are always fun. And they sparkle.

ACTIONS NEEDED:

1) Pick a stranger. Any Stranger. Homeless dudes are preferred seeing as how they have limitless insight. However, as most rare commodities, they cannot always be easily located and tend to request food/drink in exchange for their enlightened thoughts.

So the next best thing is someone standing in line close to you. Preferrably that will have to wait for 2-4 minutes giving you ample time to dig in and set up so as to make the implosion of their mind that much more effective.

2) Make a short comment. The easiest way is to comment on their clothes, hairstyle ect. Here’s an example: “You have very interesting shoes! Where ever did you find them?” On one hand, this isn’t a compliment and will certainly pique there interest.

Compliments from strangers can be easily dismissed as “They are just saying that to get me talking and then sell me something.” Also, it forces them to tell a story. No yes or no responses allowed here!

3) Based on their response, throw your curve ball.

These responses must be made with the utmost sincerity. This is what will throw people off the most. Without sincerity they may just think you’re a jerk.

Slowly, “Did you get that idea from a Dr. Suess book or are you an alien?” Regardless of their response to this, even silence, whisper “Ah, an alien” and give a little wink.

“And is that idea from your favorite infomercial?” “I just love the one about the hamsters.” And slowly glide away before they can respond.

4) Enjoy the bewilderment of your captive.

Whether they are stuttering, indignate, sly, or clever enough to go along with your insanity it will be certain that you provided an interesting break. A great wonderful interrupt in their mindless hamster routine. Even if the result is that they are insulted, you can curl up warm and snug at night knowing that they will be pondering just who the hell you are for many many days. After all, you’re royalty now.