By Sofia Rudus ’26
We are all taught at a young age through books, the internet and people close to us to not talk to strangers. They are unknown and can have ulterior motives. However, once most people grow up, they can sense danger better and are not as easily manipulated. This knowledge gives people the opportunity to go and meet others and to learn about strangers that they would otherwise probably never see again. Through my experiences of speaking and meeting strangers, I have come to see them in a wonderful light and just as people. Not to be afraid to approach, but welcome the many positive possibilities out of these interactions.
Have you ever been driving on a busy road and thought about how everyone else driving also has their own complex lives? It is incomprehensible to think that there are so many of us. For that reason, we should be trying to learn more about each other. There is excitement that comes from meeting a stranger. They are full of surprise and mystery, one to be figured out and unlocked. A perfect opportunity to dive into curiosity and learning. The amount of strangers I have met that have surprised me and have inspired me is amazing. People that you meet have stories beyond your comprehension. Testimonies that are grueling or full of hope. To see what others have accomplished with their lives and just happen to be there in the same vicinity and not know anything about them is shocking and invigorating.
The briefness and quickness of meeting someone is the beauty of it all. You share a brief moment with someone else and now have this shared experience. You may not remember them or their name in the future, making them a stranger again, but at least you were able to have that experience in the first place. The shared joy between each stranger plays into the whimsical and carefreeness of different generations and inner character. The fleeting interaction still brings joy and enrichment to life. It is not just my life I am living, but a life that also affects others. The briefness of talking to a stranger also shows a willingness to let go and be kind. People may say, “Why should I care about random people?” However, if people are able to show kindness and have meaningful interactions with people they do not know, how much more love can they show to people that they already know? Hopefully, an abundance.
Everyone starts off as a stranger; friends of friends, people in the hallways. Some names are remembered, and others are not. Either way, more connection and showing love to everyone is what our world desperately needs. The next time you are in public or walking in the hallways, I encourage you to talk to someone you do not know. Those people have a story to hear, and you do, too. It is not just a cliché when you have a change in perspective and reason. Do not be scared if people ignore you. It happens often. You never know why, either. The more you put yourself out there, however, the easier it becomes. People are surprisingly more willing to talk when you approach them with kindness and appropriate energy. People genuinely are curious to know about one another and enjoy learning about each other. Life feels more enriched sharing it with others. At its core, everyone is a stranger. You are a stranger to others, yet you can be an inspiration in people’s lives. Remember, you can either be the cool story to someone or you can create more stories; that is life. To live with love and to share experiences with one another.
As I reflect on my recent trip to Italy with other Derby High School students, I also reflect on all the people that we met there. We spoke with adults and teenagers from Italy, another European country, or America. It was an amazing experience to share this brief and silly interaction with other groups of people in this unknown area. Some groups were superior to others with more connections and better interactions; however, the freeness and adventure that came from not having any fear and just connecting with people of different backgrounds, lifestyles, and cultures was one of the best experiences in Italy.
The Raider Press 