The Stranger Secret: How to Talk to Anyone – And Why You Should
Viv Groskop
Many people avoid talking to strangers because they fear rejection or feel socially anxious. However, small conversations can help us connect and remind us of our shared humanity. Taking the risk to talk to others enriches both ourselves and society.
9 Mar 2026
Small talk may not profoundly alter your life. But its absence will profoundly alter human life as we know it. We live in a world of intense and often unnecessary division. Small talk is a tiny, free and very possibly priceless reminder of our shared humanity. If we intentionally give up talking to strangers, if we purposely decide to give in to the phone shield, the consequences will be horrible. Arguably, we are already on the verge of doing this. Let’s back up and start a conversation before it’s too late.