For #RandomActsOfKindnessWeek, I'm sharing #Talking2Strangers stories that started w a kind act. Getting comfy w #Talking2Strangers allows you to deliver a compliment, offer directions, check if someone's ok.
In my book #OnceUponAStranger (LINK IN BIO), Chp 7's all about Kindness
On holiday, I stopped to talk to a man who had (temporarily) lost his dog, Ringo Starr. It turns out he’s a musician (the man, not the dog), nicknamed Juke (short for jukebox) & he sang one of the songs from his album as we stood by the sea. #Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
For #RandomActsOfKindnessWeek, I'm sharing #Talking2Strangers stories that started w a kind act. Getting comfy w #Talking2Strangers allows you to deliver a compliment, offer directions, check if someone's ok.
In my book #OnceUponAStranger (LINK IN BIO), Chp 7's all about Kindness
Me, to someone working in his garden: You've got a great helper! (Referring to a big ginger cat, sprawled out nearby)
Him: That's Reggie. He's not mine, but he likes to visit.
I learned that his garden is an act of kindness, created to attract pollinators. #Talking2Strangers
Lunch break after a hefty climb & then knee-busting descent (pics: view, lunch spot). When a man walked past, I offered him a carrot. I asked where he was visiting from: Shropshire. He chose Shropshire simply b/c he hadn't lived there before. #Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger #RAKWeek
A few yrs ago, I saw a woman working in her garden. I commented on her pieris japonica (I❤️their delicate white bell-shaped flowers & the new leaves that come in a vibrant red). I told her where I was walking & she recommended an Italian restaurant nearby. #Talking2Strangers
A few yrs ago, I talked to a man who likes #Talking2Strangers (he talked w enthusiasm about the time he met a jockey). He had planted 3 trees in the park, inc a Judas tree. A couple of wks later, I used an app to identify a pretty tree & it was a Judas tree. Serendipity!
#Talking2Strangers email from a student who had bus probs while travelling home for the hols. "What would've been a stressful moment w just me&my headphones turned into a delightful chat w a lady (J) about the festive period, Charles Dickens & what we were both doing that day."
A few yrs ago, a student emailed: "I was on the train when someone sat next to me watching one of my fave Marvel shows. Inspired by your #Talking2Strangers tweets, I started a convo about the show. This short convo w a stranger really lifted my spirits & boosted my confidence."❤️
During a visit to Winchester cathedral, a man in ecclesiastic robe was greeting visitors. I asked how he was doing & he said I'd made his day-nobody ever asks him: that's *his* job. I offered a hug & he accepted.
Have you ever hugged a stranger?
#NationalHugDay #Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
On a chilly Feb evening, I chatted w a woman carrying a fancy camera. After watching an awe-inspiring starling murmuration side by side, we were moved to share a hug.
Have you ever hugged a stranger? Would you?
#NationalHugDay #Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
At a pub after a spectacular walk in the Lake District, I asked the frazzled-looking barkeeper: "Rough day?" I asked whether he'd like a hug, and he surprised me by taking me up on my offer.
Have you ever hugged a stranger? Would you?
#NationalHugDay #Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
The 🇬🇧 cover for #OnceUponAStranger is simpler in design than the 🇺🇸/🇨🇦 one, but beautifully conveys the idea that everybody has a story, that #Talking2Strangers creates memorable moments of shared humanity.
🚨Pre-order link in bio.🚨
The fun 🇺🇸/🇨🇦 cover for #OnceUponAStranger shows a range of contexts in which people are already #Talking2Strangers. Many details in the images represent stories I share in the book (e.g., waitress w sailboat earrings, pina coladas in Paris, rainbow).
🚨Pre-order link in bio.🚨
A few years ago, the sun was shining on Boxing Day. At the spot where this photo was taken (at beautiful Seaford Head), I saw a young boy and asked him if Santa had paid him a visit. He nodded happily. Then he touched my heart by asking: Did he visit you too?
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
My dad loves #Talking2Strangers & kids are his favourite targets. He asked a young boy if Santa would be visiting. The boy took his time, then said "I've been *pretty* good." Years later, we still laugh at (& appreciate) his honesty (diplomacy?)
#OnceUponAStranger
On the train, I asked these gents about their roller skates. They were headed to Santa Skate: a festive street skate through London (20th anniv skate: 13-Dec-2025). Our convo reminded me of the time I won a shoot-the-duck contest. #Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
On campus, I hurried to catch up with a dog. I stole a line from @thedogist & asked for any funny stories. Turns out, Otis once ate a(n old) PhD thesis (pic = mine). We shared a laugh when I joked that Otis was hungry for knowledge.
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
Walked out of class to a gorgeous full moon. Someone pulled out his phone to take a pic, so I used the moon as a convo starter. We talked about the class he was teaching, how we (2 expats) had ended up in the U.K., the future of academia...
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
This podcast interview @ NPR LifeKit results in a spike of visits to my website *every time* it re-airs. I talked about the liking gap & my scavhunt study, which shows that practice makes progress when it comes to #Talking2Strangers. #OnceUponAStranger
www.npr.org/2019/08/15/7...
This podcast interview @hiddenbrain.bsky.social is a fave. From the pre-meetings to the recording, I was encouraged to lean into storytelling. I'm grateful to all the listeners who reached out after hearing this episode.
www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/rela...
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
I refer to this invited piece for @psychmag.bsky.social as my #Talking2Strangers manifesto. I wrote about why many of us are reluctant to talk to strangers & what the benefits are (inc. making the world a better place).
www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
#OnceUponAStranger @bpsofficial.bsky.social
It's #TalkToAStrangerWeek (Nov 24-30, 2025) & you may have questions.
2: How will it go?
Here's what I've learned as both a psychology prof who studies minimal social interactions & as a human who loves #Talking2Strangers (despite being an introvert).
Read more at www.talktoastrangerweek.org
It's #TalkToAStrangerWeek (Nov 24-30, 2025)& you may have q's.
1: Why should I do it?
Here's some advice as both a psychology prof who studies minimal social interactions & as a human who loves #Talking2Strangers (despite being an introvert).
Read more at www.talktoastrangerweek.org
People w dogs are esp easy to talk to, so this is dog week.
On hols in Tenby, I approached a dog. Learned about his human's accidental career in wig-making. Invited us to his house for a drink. Ended up playing a duet on his piano. Epic!
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
People w dogs are esp easy to talk to, so this is dog week.
Walking in Tokyo, I asked through gestures if I could pet a man's shiba inu. The dog was friendly (& sooo soft!) & the man used his limited English to tell me the dog's name/age.
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
People w dogs are esp easy to talk to, so this is dog week.
Walk in the woods. Met 2 dogs w lovely beaded collars from Kenya, where their human had lived for many yrs. She misses: wide open views, the bush, the animals, the people.
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
People w dogs are esp easy to talk to, so this is dog week.
I met Benton on one of my regular afternoon walks. He is:
- vigilant: barks at stone hedgehogs
- serious about his skin: likes a mud treatment
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
Longer version here: www.instagram.com/drgilliansan...
People with dogs are especially easy to talk to, so this is dog week.
I met George while climbing Walla Crag & ended up walking with his fascinating human for >1hr. She told stories of exotic scuba-centric travels & taught me about ice marathons.
#Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
On a walk in the Lakes, I included a couple in a photo, to give perspective. I caught up w them later & offered to send them the pic. When I did, they sent one they had taken of me. #Talking2Strangers #OnceUponAStranger
Longer version of the story here: www.instagram.com/drgilliansan...
