Strangers on a train

How often do you try connect with the stranger next to you? To ask them about their day, to give them a pleasant compliment or to share a mutual smile, which says ‘Hey, hope your having a good day’.

I think too few of us do this. We chalk it up to social norms or insecurities or whatever other ridiculous excuse we can make up. We too often pass people which surround us all the time while commuting, working, shopping, relaxing without ever connecting. We stay to ourselves and find safety, comfort and reassurance in our own personal worlds. But sometimes maybe by breaking that we can find something truly special. Sometimes just by sharing a single moment with someone new, a complete stranger, you can change both your day and theirs.

Today on the tube, I found myself in the middle of rush hour. After waiting on a platform for nearly ten minutes I wrestled my way onto a cart and found myself stumbling with feet and bags scattered everywhere on the floor. Eventually I came to a rest and stood still next to an elderly lady, who was seated. Seeing that I had kicked her foot I apologized and put my head down awkwardly trying to hide the dance I had just done. She said that it was perfectly fine and caught my awkward retreat before I could go to far. She smiled and joked that it was fine just this once but if I had to do it again I may be in trouble, as this was her bad ankle you see. I smiled and said I would watch myself. She didn’t stop there and in this packed tube car for no more than the briefest of minutes she took the time out of her day to connect with me to find out where I was heading to and wished me well. It wasn’t only me though on this ride who she had connected with, no it was each person that came on in stumbling and mumbling. Everyone who awkwardly passed through us politely apologizing for bumping or nudging.

Soon there was a different atmosphere in this cart other than that of the late afternoon rush. We all began looking at each other over hearing one another’s stories to this sweet elderly lady. We all had been connected in this time by her and when we all left there was a glance or genuine farewell for the afternoon and weekend. Soon too she left and all of us touched by her caught her eye and wished her farewell. She uplifted each of our days collectively by just connecting. By selflessly investing a bit of her day with ours.

I’m not saying go out and chat up each person you see in public from here on out. But on that rare occasion were you can make a joke, compliment or subtle smile. Do it because it not only will you make a stranger feel better about their day but it will make yours better as well.