[hombre_fatal]

Here are some initiatives taken by transporation organizations to encourage people to talk to each other, like introducing a "chat carriage" on the train: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/public-transport-ch...

For example:

> The results showed that those asked to chat felt far more positive about their journey than those who kept to themselves, and that the longer people talked for the better they felt.

A world where the only people who talk to you outside your fortress are beggars, scammers, and salesmen is a sad one. Not to say you're always ready for a conversation with a stranger every time you leave your house, but there is also a chance of serendipity in the most unlikely exchanges.

I met a woman I dated for a year at a supermarket. This woman next to me was spending a lot of time comparing fruit, like gently tapping them and squeezing them. She hadn't even put one in her basket yet. I stood across from her and put some plums up to my ears as if to listen to them, mockingly, which started a conversation that we picked up that evening at a bar. It's something I think about when I err on the side of not interacting with those around me since it was a bit out of character for me.

It's one of the spices of life.

[filoleg]

The chat carriage idea actually sounds really cool. Like, there are some days where I feel like I would love to use it, but there are definitely others when I just need to rest in some piece. But given that we are all in the same space on the bus right now (without this chat carriage idea implemented), I always default to being as silent as possible to give other people the opportunity to not be bothered. Hell, I even reject all phone calls I receive while on the bus.

[StuffedParrot]

The homeless actually make great conversation and it humanizes them. If you don’t give cash, at least don’t alienate them.

Granted it can be very emotionally draining.

[cartoonfoxes]

I take it you have never been assaulted by an angry drunk before.

[ska]

> I take it you have never been assaulted by an angry drunk before.

That's a non-sequitur. Regardless, if you are looking to get assaulted by an angry drunk talking to homeless people isn't a very effective method. For best success try pick up bars with an 20-30 year old clientele, or just accost someone on the street who is already visibly drunk and antagonistic; they are (unintuitively?) unlikely to be homeless but will often happily have a go at you.

[grawprog]

No, but I didbsit there and listen to a really drunk dude sitting on the street once who'd just broke his 10 year sobriety after coming home and finding his wife fucking s room full of men about a half hour before I ran into him. He was about halfway through a 40 of whiskey by that point.

[coldtea]

No, but they have been snarked at by forum commenters and their assumptions. Should the parent distrust every person commenting from now on?

[StuffedParrot]

Dude I live in the tenderloin.