I Became Friends With 100 Strangers In A Day

Summary

Eric, a recent transplant to New York, laments the difficulty of making friends in a city where everyone seems rushed and unapproachable. Determined to break his shell, he challenges himself to talk to 100 strangers. Through awkward encounters and genuine connections, Eric discovers the joy of meeting new people, from chess players to poets, and even jugglers. His journey, filled with laughter and positivity, culminates in a newfound appreciation for the kindness of strangers and a personal transformation.

Takeaways

• 😅 Eric feels overwhelmed by the difficulty of making friends in New York due to the fast-paced lifestyle and reserved nature of people.
• 🗣️ Eric decides to break out of his shell and challenge himself to talk to 100 strangers in an attempt to make new friends.
• 🤝 Eric's initial interactions are awkward, but he persists and continues to approach people despite the discomfort.
• 🏙️ Eric engages with a diverse range of people in the park, including chess players, readers, and jugglers, showcasing the variety of New Yorkers.
• 📚 He learns about different cultures and backgrounds, such as meeting people from Israel and hearing a poem.
• 🤹‍♂️ Eric shows interest in others' hobbies and professions, like juggling and butchery, which helps him connect on a personal level.
• 📱 He successfully exchanges contact information and social media details, indicating a genuine desire to maintain these new connections.
• 📈 Eric's confidence grows as he becomes more comfortable talking to strangers, reflecting a positive personal development.
• 🌟 The experience is transformative for Eric, as he discovers the joy and positivity in connecting with strangers.
• ❤️ Eric ends up feeling a newfound love for talking to strangers and the sense of community it fosters.

Q & A

Why did Eric decide to talk to strangers?

Eric decided to talk to strangers because he recently moved to New York and found it difficult to make friends due to the fast-paced lifestyle and people being hard to talk to.

What was Eric's initial feeling about talking to strangers?

Eric's initial feeling was fear and awkwardness, as indicated by his statement 'Huh, this is so scary, okay' and his hesitation before approaching people.

What was Eric's goal for the day?

Eric's goal was to break his wall and try to make more friends by talking to 100 strangers.

How did Eric approach people at the park?

Eric approached people by asking if he could sit with them, inquiring about their activities, and showing interest in their conversations.

What was Eric's experience when he tried to talk to someone eating lunch?

Eric learned that it's not appropriate to talk to people when they are eating, as he was told 'Don't talk when people are eating?'

What did Eric learn about himself as he continued talking to strangers?

Eric learned that talking to strangers was getting easier and he was getting good at it, as he mentioned 'Dude, this is gettin' easy. I'm getting good at this.'

What was the outcome of Eric's interactions with strangers?

The outcome was positive, as he met many interesting people, added 100 people on Instagram, and felt a lot of positive energy and joy.

How did strangers react to Eric's approach?

Most strangers reacted positively to Eric's approach, engaging in conversation and even sharing personal interests such as juggling and poetry.

What did Eric hope to achieve by sharing his experience?

Eric hoped to lessen the stigma behind talking to strangers and show that it can be an eye-opening and positive experience.

What was a memorable moment from Eric's interactions?

A memorable moment was when strangers fed Eric a bagel, showcasing the kindness and generosity he encountered.

What was the overall impact of Eric's day on his perspective towards strangers?

The overall impact was transformative, as Eric expressed feeling in love with strangers and wanting to talk to them all the time.