"Don't talk to strangers!"

It's funny isn't it. When we were children, we were told to not talk to strangers. And yet, as life goes on, we frequently do.  Yet, one feature of the south, perhaps, that is not so in smaller places is the lack of communication between all of us folks- busy on our phones, nose in a book, terrified less we make eye-contact with someone or have to be talked to by the drunk on the train. Why is it that drunks always make a beeline for me and feel the need to chat, ESPECIALLY if you have your nose in a book- "Nice book, love?", "Ah, she's trying to ignore me!", "It's getting to the juicy bit!",  "Oh she's gonna smile,"  . Honestly, you want to thump them sometimes, since they seem to take umbrage to anyone who has something to occupy them and make it their life's mission to detach you from your book.

Yet, on the other hand, talking to strangers is something that can be great, I know relationships have begun for some people there and every so often, you have a lovely moment and you are glad that you talked.

I waiting yesterday on the platform in the nearby town to school. I got off the train in search of a white plumed feather for my World Book day costume.  There was a powercut at the station so it had only just reopened to the public (healthy and safety). As I sat on the bench,an old fellow with a limp asked the platform staff where he could get the train to Southend. I intercepted and told him that it was this platform and he needed to change at Shenfield and I could show him as I was getting the same train.  He grumbled at the station staff but somehow, from his limp and face and slight accent, I knew he was 'safe'.  We ended up standing talking and then we sat opposite each other and chatted all the way to Shenfield. We changed trains and continued to chat. And I thought, had I decided just to ignore him once I'd helped him and read my book, I would have missed the delightful opportunity to talk to someone interesting.  He was a fascinating old man, from Rome in Italy and it always strikes me that I want to let older people talk- I often worry about those who are lonely and never get the opportunity to talk- older people who are so interesting and yet us younger people don't have the time to listen to them and their experiences. We make assumptions and assume that our lives are so much more interesting and important.  I know I may not be talking about YOU, the reader, as a young person, but I know there are many people, myself included who might not take that time. I regret deeply all the missed opportunities I could have found out more about my Grandad's life.

We got looks from all the commuters on the Southend train talking as they obviously realised we were strangers by the fact I asked his name, as if to say, "What you are talking to a STRANGER?????" and "Urgh, how could you???"  but I hope that maybe someone might have lost some inhibition and fear by observation and I hope I remember not to get so wrapped up in myself that I don't allow someone to feel interesting and like they have something to say that people would be interested in.

Over to you- talking to strangers, what's your take?

xxx