Do most people enjoy talking to strangers?

[LanaRelDay]

I’m not really the type that likes to make friends on holiday or strike up casual conversation while waiting in the queue at Tesco. So I was really frustrated yesterday when I went into the lunch room to enjoy some time to myself to take a break and relax, when a person from another department who I’ve never spoken to before comes in and starts talking to me. I’m not against people I don’t know talking to me, especially at work. I do like to speak to people, but I like it to be short and sweet if there isn’t a point to the conversation or if it’s not really the time or place.

I was just trying to eat my lunch in peace and he wouldn’t shut up. Telling me all about his lunch, then asked me which department im from, where I worked before here, told me his daughter wants a dog but he’s not keen. I am friendly and polite and engaged in the conversation but inside was just thinking please stop talking to me. I find it genuine effort to make small talk with people I don’t know (unless I am creating a relationship with them like new friends and colleagues. But he was just a random guy who doesn’t even work on my floor) but he seemed to enjoy it because each time someone new came in he started chatting to them. I wondered if most people are like that and im just an anti social misery guts?! How many people genuinely enjoy chatting to new people in situations like this? I’ve also had people talk to me at bus stops and waiting rooms etc and I don’t really get it.

No - that’s annoying! 😄 he clearly couldn’t read the room.

I think it's situational. In your case I would have been annoyed, but if I had been on my own all day long, I might have appreciated some human interaction. If I had been in a busy workplace surrounded by people all day, I would have been annoyed to have my precious moment of peace shattered.

I don't mind but I hate it when they try to get a lot of info from you then just walk off once they have what they need!

Also when they ask did you watch Corrie/Eastenders/Love Island etc. "No" "Oh well, this happened and what do you think Jim went and did next?" "Don't know and don't care!"

I hate it, but must have the kind of face that looks friendly as chatty types always head for me. I can't help but be empathetic when I speak to them so they go on and on...
Some people must love random stranger chat though. I'm currently working in a situation where I can choose a stand alone office or a shared space, and the majority of my colleagues have chosen shared, not me! I'm in splendid isolation.

Horses for courses, OP.

Some people will chat with anyone and love the connection, some people prefer to be left alone. Neither is wrong.

Varies. I’ve had some interesting conversations with strangers, other times I wish they’d just buggar off and leave me alone. Your example sounds like someone with poor boundaries, that can’t read your lack of interest, or doesn’t care.
Mostly I’d say I enjoy little day to day interactions with people.

Definitely depends on the situation. Lunch break is a no.
I've often chatted to people in a boring situation and it's worked well. Places like a long queue, in an airport lounge, on holiday on my own. People are happy to chat just to pass the time.

Sounds like he was talking at you, rather than to you. Did he ask about you? Such people deserve sympathy up to a point, because they are a bit pathetic, but not to the extent of indulging them while fuming, Could you say, "Its nice to meet you, but I need a bit of quiet headspace/read my book, etc. now"? That way you will both have had your wants met, which seems fair.

I've got one of those faces too🤣 though mostly I don't mind. I love the older generations on the bus having a chat to me, you hear some great stuff. It makes me feel awful when I see someone looking pissed off at a little old lady trying to have a little natter

It depends on the situation. If I was on my lunch break, someone wanting to engage in idle chat with me can get in the bin. I need time with my own thoughts.

If I'm out socialising, then yes I enjoy talking to random people. I've spent an entire evening hanging out with someone I've just met on several occasions.

I've also got chatting to people on planes and spent the entire flight nattering.

It's nice when you instantly click with someone.

I love to talk to strangers but not in this way, obviously the other person should be interested or in a mood to do so, safest way I find is through an app or website where the intent or all the people is same, Strangerspace.com is one of the website that I prefer to do so.