​​The Solo Traveler’s Guide to Talking to Strangers

Talking to strangers is scary—until it’s the best thing you’ve ever done.

By Anya Yasenovets

by Samuel McGoff

As a kid, my parents told me not to talk to strangers, but I never agreed with them. Meeting new people has always been my favorite part of travelling—locals can teach you more about the culture and lifestyle of a country than any museum or tourist attraction ever will. Whether it’s a group of girls at a local venue, a middle-aged motel owner or a fellow solo traveler, they always carry unique and mindblowing stories. 

So buckle up, guys, I am about to teach you how to get the most out of these conversations and not get kidnapped!

​Don’t be scared to approach people. Embarrassment is fake. Rude and unfriendly people are rarer than you think. In fact, over the course of my solo travels, no one ever got angry or upset with me when I tried to talk to them. 

Worst-case scenario: they politely end the conversation and leave, but even that barely ever happens. Most people are excited to learn more about you and share their culture, but as a traveler, you are responsible for initiating those connections. Don’t be scared to make the first step!

Trust your gut. Picture this: you spark a conversation with a friendly person, but something about them just doesn’t feel right. That’s your gut telling you to run. Humans are highly sensitive; we read body language and facial expressions effortlessly, and our gut feeling is usually based on those observations. 

So, if something feels sketchy, just leave—better safe than sorry.

Lie. I am a chronic oversharer, and when I make a new friend in a new country, I immediately want to tell them everything about my life. This hasn’t always ended up well for me: some people just can’t deal with unprotected female solo travelers, I guess. 

Phrases like “Oh, I’m here with my boyfriend,” “My dad is waiting for me in the hotel,” “I’m visiting family,” became my go-to. If that sounds extreme, imagine this: you glance out your window at night—and there’s someone you met at a local bar staring right back at you. That has actually happened to me in Italy. 

Respect the culture. In Russia, we say, “Don’t bring your own customs into someone else’s church.” This means that instead of imposing your beliefs on others, you sometimes have to shut up and listen. Visiting a country means following its norms, even if you disagree with them. 

Don’t tell a middle-aged Latvian woman you are gay, don’t walk around Kuwait in a crop top, instead, listen to local music and try to feel it. Conforming to traditions of the country not only allows you to experience a culture on a deeper level, it also makes people around you a lot friendlier.

Be curious. Sometimes being in a different country feels like visiting another planet. You don’t understand anything—and it’s great! Ask overwhelming amounts of questions and listen more than you talk. Let them take you to their favorite restaurant, teach you curse words in the local language, give you a sketchbook tour—whatever you are interested in. 

During travels, people are your endless source of information, and you have to utilize it by asking the right questions.

Bonus: Always carry around a card game. If you are shy, don’t know what to say or are struggling with the language barrier, any card game is the awkwardness repellent. My go-to game is UNO, because it’s easy and most people are already familiar with it. I also like to carry around a regular card deck, because everyone teaches me a new game, which is also a great way to bond.

Ultimately, when you are travelling, you will forget hotels and airports, but never the people!