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
NOTE: I don't have a pic of the pieris japonica, so I stayed with the Japanese theme and included a pic of azaleas that I took in Tokyo.
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
Maybe somehow it feels more permitted in those environments? Like we feel allowed to talk to strangers while on holiday, but then we have to leave that behind and return to "reality". Thanks for sharing - that's lovely to hear.
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 q's.
5: What should I say?
To start a conversation, think QUICK: K is for kindness
We're all doing our best to get by. A small act of kindness that acknowledges our shared humanity goes a long way.
Read more at www.talktoastrangerweek.org
It's #TalkToAStrangerWeek (Nov 24-30, 2025) & you may have q's.
4: What should I say?
To start a conversation, think QUICK: IC is for "in common"
Use your observational skills to bring their attention to something in your shared location/situation.
Read more at www.talktoastrangerweek.org
It's #TalkToAStrangerWeek (Nov 24-30, 2025) & you may have q's.
3: What should I say?
To start a conversation, think QUICK: QU is for question
Tap into your curiosity.
Read more at www.talktoastrangerweek.org
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
Longer version of the story here: www.instagram.com/drgilliansan...
