Tips & Inspiration
Connecting with strangers can enhance our happiness, optimism, empathy, and sense of belonging, grounding us in the world.
5 tips to connect
We want to empower Canadians with five tips for a more connected fall and set the tone for the holiday season and beyond. Here's what we suggest:
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Be heads up, literally and figuratively, about the opportunity to use eye contact as a catalyst to connect with a stranger.
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Make the extra effort to connect with someone who may be a little preoccupied. They will likely appreciate the effort.
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Look out for those common faces that you see on your typical route to work, to the classroom, in the neighbourhood or while you are out for some exercise. That face you see every day may be the connection to greater happiness: a new friend, a new colleague, someone who might teach you something.
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Recognize that the simple act of saying hello to someone struggling can also provide a greater sense of empathy, compassion, connection and belonging.
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If you don't succeed at first, and someone doesn't respond to your outreach, try the next person you come across. Not everyone understands the power of talking to strangers like you do...yet.
Connecting with strangers may also be a great way for some introverts or people who are socially anxious to build a sense of connection without the commitment of a longer conversation.
Tips to Initiate
Try it out.
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Say hello
- Compliment someone
- Make eye contact and smile
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Celebrate or complain about the weather
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Strike up a conversation in a line-up
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Speak about a current event
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Ask for advice
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Tell a joke or make light of a situation
Safety Considerations to consider prior to talking to strangers
We encourage everyone to follow the safety precautions we’ve been taught for decades: avoid speaking to strangers late at night, in secluded areas, or when you feel uncomfortable.
At the same time, we want to inspire more Canadians to recognize the opportunities to connect with the people we pass by every day—at work, on busy streets, in grocery stores, and in our communities. A simple “hello” or “how is your day going?” can often be shared without compromising your safety. These small gestures can have a profound impact on your health and well-being, as well as on the person you connect with.
For children, we acknowledge the disconnection many have experienced during the pandemic. We encourage safe and comfortable participation in this campaign, taking the opportunity to discuss when and where it’s appropriate to connect—such as in a classroom, at school, or while walking with parents during daily activities.
There is still so much progress to be made in fostering connections, and we can achieve this without putting anyone at risk. Our ultimate goal is to improve the social health and connection skills of all Canadians.
Inspiration
Get inspired by these videos that highlight the power of talking to strangers.
