Why Travelers Feel Awkward Talking to Strangers

Have you ever tried talking to a traveler who has answered you awkwardly? If you felt bad at that time, you need to understand that they might be acting completely normal without being rude to you. It is just that some people have several reasons to feel uncomfortable talking to strangers, even if the world thinks that the travelers are extrovert people.

Increase in stress levels

Some people experience high level of stress hormones when they are around unknown people, which also makes them less empathetic. Since they are too shy to talk, they can never know what goes on inside the minds of others. Moreover, some cultures do not promote talking to random people, especially for females. Such people have their values ingrained in their minds forever, and they feel shy to talk even when they are in modern settings.

Trust factor

Since the evolution of human race, we have learned not to trust the strangers too much. Even the animals are protective of their children. Lions, for example, protect their territory to the extent of sacrificing their lives. Humans also have the same instincts about other people who have never met each other. People do not want to reveal too much about them to strangers or acquaintances, which is why they may react clumsily at times.

Crimes around the world

Solo travelers are often wary of talking too much to unknown people, especially when they are aware of high level of petty or serious crime at a place. Women, in general, have a tendency not to talk to anyone unless it is urgent, particularly when they are on a foreign land. Add to it the news spread by the media houses in every country. We already have certain perceptions about people and places that we have a hard time getting rid of them.

Overcome awkwardness

True that the society around us conditions us in such a manner that we learn to stay cautious of anyone who drops a hint of potential danger. Nonetheless, the world runs on trust that we have to place on each other. As you grow up, you might have realized that it is important to trust strangers when you have to ask for directions, request for a discount, know about the nearest hotel or hospital, etc. You have to depend on unfamiliar people and have faith in the information they divulge. When you are a traveler, you are on the mercy of strangers, which is why it is important to learn talking to them or at least respond well when they initiate a chat.

Say Hi

It is always great to say Hello to someone you meet for the first time. It may seem embarrassing to you for the first time, but just a simple Hi with an honest smile breaks the ice between two people. If someone responds well, you get the hint that you can take the communication forward. If you don’t get a good response, you can always move on.

Talk about the place

When you go to a new city to travel, there is always something that you do not know. If you are in Pune, for example, you may want to know about the places you can visit, the cars on rent Pune, the nightlife in the city, or the famous food joints. Talking about the city is the best topic to begin a conversation that takes away the discomfort between two people.

It is always a pleasant experience to overcome awkwardness without being tongue-tied in front of others. Try it once, and you may never want to leave that extrovert self of yours.

I, Manoj Upadhyay, a digital marketer by profession, believe in just that! I cherish each aspect of life, which has driven me to the idea of my blogging website, namely Wandererfoodie.