How does it make you feel when people randomly approach you on the street or in any public space?

Question

Of course I'm talking about people you have never met and know nothing about. So do you welcome these individuals randomly approaching you or does it make you feel uncomfortable and you feel annoyance?

Genie23 · Accepted Answer

First few seconds- Bit confused and nervous and scared at times- "What do they want?" Which quickly turns into a smile when I see how nice they are and mean no harm, just want to ask for directions or some other help or say something nice to me as some people give total strangers compliments too just to make their day. But I get scared and really uncomfortable if some stranger get too close to me, touched me or doesn't smile but just stares intensely and talks without a smile.

alice55 · Accepted Answer

I welcome them most people are pretty nice and even if it's just for flirting I would either flirt for fun or be like "oh my" cause I know he's gonna hold onto me during multiple minutes cause he's bored xD

I don't really mind it in general becuase I use those interaction to get better at talking and making small talk.

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

Most of the time, it doesn't bother me at all. I get recognized by people sometimes, so I usually assume that they either knew me from somewhere or saw me DJ or something. Or they want AV work, as I am usually wearing a work shirt.

Obviously, there are situations where I am much more on guard, but I have a pretty high situational awareness and so surprises are pretty rare.

Summeroflove · Accepted Answer

Well it really depends on the person there are times it can be uncomfortable as well as awkward but I do my best to be respectfully polite unless someone gives me a reason not to be.

Really it depends on where it is and what I’m doing. As well as the person whose talking to me. If someone knows it’s a bad time to try to talk to me then I get more annoyed

DishLady · Answer

It happens to me often, so I'm used to it. Do I welcome them? In a very basic and polite way, sure, bc I'll probably never see most of these folks again. Do I seek it out? No.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

I am immediately deeply suspicious.

LiaRaven · Answer

I like side talk with random people

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

I get annoyed. It never fails... they just want something. So my initial reaction is "Great, what does this scum fuck of a shit sandwich want from me?"

Don't even get me started about the black fatigue I feel lately. Those fuckers start calling my pink ass the N word and try to start fights for no reason. They not only want something, but they probably want to hurt me just because they feel so entitled in a country where they're richer than they are as a people ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

Other humans are generally just scumbags though, looking for free shit. Bunch of fucking bums. I'm not a fan of any fucking person, including hawt sluts, coming up and trying to cold approach me.

OneViewpoint · Answer

If it's just a random person asking for directions, or the train schedule, or commenting on the weather, I'm fine. 30 seconds and we're both moving on. Happy to help.

If it's a social setting and it's a woman trying to chat me up. I usually tense up and cringe then start think about how I'm gonna end the conversation quickly without hurting her feelings overtly. Once in a while though... she actually turns out to be interesting and funny and a wiseass who can dish out punishment and take it as well. Then we're off to the races.

WindAtMyBack · Answer

As a Midwesterner in the US, this is very common here. So I don't think anything of it. I start conversations with strangers all the time. In this part of the country it's not unheard of to talk to complete strangers for a half hour or more. People will talk about their life history, relationships and just about anything else with strangers.

I know in many places, including other parts of the US, that doesn't happen. But it's very common and completely normal here.

Zack-Bann · Answer

It entirely depends on the person themself

Which I think goes both ways

Every interaction we have is the sum of mutual perceptions and expectations

We anticipate how it will go by looking at the person and the context and brace ourselves for an appropriate response

So if I’m being approached by the “right” person in the “right” place. We will have the “right” conversation
(And by right I don’t mean good I simply mean fitting a certain persona)

Miristheiss · Answer

It 100% depends on what they want. If it is an out of towner needing directions or help I am usually glad to help.

If they are just friendly and making small talk I am usually receptive.

If they are some mentally disturbed person acting weird or wanting money from me I am not receptive.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

It happens quite often and it's perfectly fine! How else are you gonna meet new people and make friends? It doesn't happen very often, anymore but, sometimes, I even get total strangers asking me for an autograph. That's just part of being semi-famous.

Friendlybro79 · Answer

I am actually thankful someone is like me and wants to just make conversation with someone. I feel it's harder to dislike people the more open you are to having random conversation. It's this that can help one that feels like everything has gone to shit, or there's no good people left, recognize it's not true.

msc545 · Answer

A lot of it depends on what they want and what they have to say for themselves when they approaching. Usually it's homeless people asking, if I have a little bit of money and I feel badly swelling my will maybe get from a dollar or two. I don't really want to have a conversation with them on the street however

Vevv123 · Answer

I don’t really care, I live in a somewhat safe place. I’d assume they’re going to say something helpful, like maybe my car light might not be working or maybe I have something on my hair..

dustybiker2 · Answer

My mum was social. I picked it up without even noticing. It feels good to leave strangers, no matter age or gender, smiling.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

I think they want to scam me or get me to join their religion/support their cause

In Rome, this asshole pretended to be a good samiritan wanting to help two lost tourists, but his only intention was to get my metro pass

MannMitAntworten · Answer

It happens often. It mostly doesn’t bother me. Only sometimes do I think I really just want to be left to myself - rare. I was approached randomly by a couple last night while I was sitting to myself outside. It was a positive encounter.

itsannalee · Answer

I won’t like it, even if i know them. Like it’s not the time i see you, don’t bother me.

Shiprex · Answer

I'm usually surprised as it means they are either in distress or a scammer and I tend to have no idea of street addresses which are most likely what they're looking for

slatyb · Answer

Usually they are asking for money. Either they are soliciting for some charity, or just asking for change to feed their habit.

beenherebefore · Answer

Creeps me out and I'm not the nicest because I really don't want to be approach by anyone that I don't know.

msg321 · Answer

I would enjoy it but it has never happened so far. What about you?

Flower7 · Answer

Hate it. I don’t like talking to strangers.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

I'll secure my wallet, next listen to what they need to say. Normally, it's a lame attempt of getting money out of a foreigner.

MemeSupreme · Answer

kinda depends on who they are and the setting, but i'll just be curious what they want

Nikki1989 · Answer

It doesn't bother me. I don't bite!

wynning · Answer

Depends on what they want from me, but there is a undercurrent of uneasiness about it...

Lynx122 · Answer

Usually I'm fine :). It depends a bit on the vibe, but most people are friendly.

qwerty2469 · Answer

Great. Where i lived most of my life this situation would result in a knife fight to the death, but where I live now its a polite conversation and nobody dies. Im sick of killing people for no reason where I could just be nice.

lilBigPotato · Answer

More often than not it ends up in an unpleasant encounter, so generally I do not like it

Anonymous · Answer

On guard. I'm a friendly guy. But strangers generally don't approach people without ulterior motives. So I while I'm friendly on the surface I always have my hand on my wallet. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

talka20 · Answer

If they are approaching to ask something like directions or anything like that then im fine

LiamJHayden · Answer

I don't mind it,, generally. I've been told I am very approachable.

Arcadian222 · Answer

It was really weird when a local approached me to help her talk to my green-eyed, footballer friend. Happened in Russia during FIFA 2018 WC

Staximus · Answer

It's usually because they want something, so I'm suspicious of them

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Sometimes it creeps me out unless she's a hot broad !!!

Anonymous · Answer

Depends on who they are. If it's a hot girl - I don't really mind ;)

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

I'm pretty rude so those encounters don't last long haha

On_cloud_wine · Answer

I’m pretty open minded and approachable

jazzy34 · Answer

Doesn’t happen to me often.

WhitneySnow · Answer

Uncomfortable and annoyed

StephanieChick111 · Answer

I like it. I like meeting new people.

exitseven · Answer

I get annoyed, especially when they ask for money.

Wise4myage · Answer

I’m fine with it as long nobody is rude.

Emmytexrex · Answer

Well I just talk to them normally

Ayaan00001 · Answer

Every day it happens and it's normal for me

Bloodparadise · Answer

Always wanted to approach hot guys

wkhan_87 · Answer

I feel good and friendly

soe11 · Answer

No nev.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Lol. It's NYC.

Anonymous · Answer

it is not nice when this happens to me :d

In_Trance · Answer

This never happens

Pterodon · Answer

I’m ok with it

How does it make you feel when people randomly approach you on the street or in any public space?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How do strangers treat you out in public?

How does it make you feel when people randomly approach you on the street or in any public space?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How do strangers treat you out in public?

We're glad to see you liked this post.