Going somewhere alone feels exposed at first, but it makes you far easier to talk to. People rarely interrupt a group of friends. Someone on their own, enjoying something, is much easier to say hello to, and you’re freer to say hello back.
A late movie at a small movie theater
Independent movie theaters draw people who care about movies, and the end of a strange one is a natural opener: “Did that ending make sense to you?”
A gallery opening
Free to walk into and full of things to have opinions about. “What do you think it’s meant to be?” works in front of almost anything.
A plant shop
Everyone there is a little out of their depth, so asking for advice is normal: “Is this one hard to kill?”
A park on a sunny day
Picnics, dogs, someone wrestling with a bike chain. Offering a small hand is one of the friendliest openers there is: “Need a hand? I’ve lost a chain or two myself.”
A class
Cooking, pottery, dance, a language. You’re all beginners together, and the class hands you something to talk about: “Is it just me, or is this going very fast?”
A bookstore
Browsing is slow and quiet, and “Have you read this one?” is a perfectly normal question.
A flea market
Everyone is rummaging, and odd finds start conversations by themselves: “Okay, what would you even use this for?”
A coffee shop, without headphones
Sit near the counter rather than in a corner, keep the headphones in your bag and look up now and then. Being available is half of being approachable.
A volunteer day
Doing something useful side by side is one of the easiest ways to get talking, and you’ll meet people who care about the same things you do.
Make yourself easy to talk to
Wherever you go: phone away, look up and smile when someone catches your eye. You don’t have to start every conversation. Being open to one is half of it.
Lines to borrow
- After a strange movie: “I think I need a drink to process that movie. What did you make of it?”
- At a gallery: “Do you think the artist meant it to look like a sandwich?”
- In a plant shop: “Which of these is impossible to kill? Asking as a serial plant murderer.”
- At a flea market: “I can’t decide if this lamp is ugly or brilliant. Second opinion?”
- At a coffee shop: “Is anyone sitting here? It’s the only seat with a plug.”
Practice it
The Plant Shop is free to play: a fern, a cactus, two care cards and a cat asleep on the counter. The Late Showing, The Gallery Opening, The Bike Fix and The Flea Market unlock as you rank up, all free with an account.