Quote - sigh...

When you introduce yourself to someone for the first time, look them in the eye. Ask their name. Ask it and USE it. Nothing people love more than the sound of their own name...lol.

Uhm.. Not to ruin things by making this wayyy too complicated, but I personally HATE the kind of people who use my name in every other sentence. Not because I do not like my name, I like it just fine, but it's .. (OK this sounds probably odd) well.. personal. Not something I'd like thrown around at any given moment. Also to me this screams "Telemarketer" because those people are trained to do just that. Use your name ad nauseam. And I hate it.

This may well be a cultural thing though. I'm in Denmark, Europe. Americans may look quite differently at this.

How to get someone to talk to.. Well.. Don't just approach someone at a busstop or such. Not without due cause. They'll just think you're either weird or up to something. But find something .. some REASON to approach someone. Like.. say you're at a busstop and there's this lady beside you who you'd like to get in touch with. Said lady is carrying a small dog. Say something nice about her dog. Pets (and kids) and saying something nice about themis a great way of getting in touch with people.

And you may be allergic to anything with fur and hate kids.. but pretend you like both L It'll go a long way! (and allergies can be cured/treated and kids aren't as bad once you get to know them) so...

Another option is of course to get a small pet of your own. A cat on a leash will make people talk to you. A ferret on a leash will make certain kinds of people 8like me!) talk to you while other will cross the street to get away L) A rat on your shoulder.. well you get the idea... (and I have cats myself that get outside on a leash and my oldest kid has rats that also are taken out on a leash... so yes I do know how easily pets can get you into conversation)

As a kid I took my guineapig outside and talked to people that way. I'm not that good at talking to strangers either. Actually I don't think many people are.

Point is.. do not think you're odd or something just because you're more introvert than extrovert. Most of us here are introverts to some degree, that's why we spend time online instead of having one of those newfangled "Life™" things they always talk about...

In my day job I'm a train conductor. I am among LOTS of people every day. But I rarely TALK to them more than the "tickets, please" thing. UNLESS they have a pet or a cute kid or something that is an obvious conversation starter. Without that, I wouldn't know how to begin without sounding odd or pushy. :)

You're not alone!

Forum: Poser - OFFICIAL

Subject: OT: How do you talk to Strangers and where? Seems nobody wants to be approached