This is good advice if your crave more human contact. I don't, but thank you.

There are a few stock phrases you can use. Harmless, and generally sentiments that are universally shared. Here are some examples. Passing the same person in several grocery store aisles: “We have to stop meeting like this!” Bad weather: (older person) “I don’t remember it ever being this hot/cold/rainy/snowy/etc before. Do you?” Price increase in any kind of store: “Seems like prices only go up anymore, instead of down”. A store have completely changed the placement of products: “The minute I finally get used to where stuff is, they go and change it again”. I have used all of these, and 999 times out of 1000, I get a smile, a laugh, and total agreement, because almost all of us feel exactly the same, and had the same thought in our heads at that exact moment.

This is exactly the kind of vibe I carry with me every single day. I recently lost my partner in crime, my hubby of 24 years, who used to do everything for my autistic son and I. Even during the 11 years he battled cancer (which he beat soundly), he would be out every day running errands, talking to people, counselling them on their own cancer journeys or answering their queries, whatever he could do to help people. Now, it's a BIG deal for me to get out and about. I'm getting used to it, I need it, and when I do I try to treat people like he would have. You never know, your smile may be the only ray of sunshine in someone else's day.

As someone with autism who works in customer service, this actually helps.

Yes, as someone who is severely isolated due to disabling health conditions, human contact is a privilege. I've literally had times when I am out that I started craving hugs from strangers. A small friendly interaction can make my entire week. At the bare minimum, please be kind and do not add to the misery of life. On another note, this post is also good safety advice. Muggers & rapists prefer to attack people who are unaware, so even making momentary eye contact with a stranger could be life-saving and also help you give a description to the police if anything does happen.

It's something simple and kind. Not an invitation to try and become best friends for life or anything. It's surprising how far a small token of acknowledgement and kindness can go. A resounding YES to this for me!

I'm a people person who works from home and my people interactions are really only at stores. I love making little jokes or small talk. I definitely back off if it's not welcome! We're all just so disconnected.

I consider it random acts of kindness. A smile and a nod. Holding the door open for someone. compliment someone on their jewelry or hair or some other fashion choice. Maybe because i am a "little old lady" I don't get negative feedback usually. I partially do it for others, but I am actually selfish , if i can make someone smile - it makes MY day.

This is just New Zealand lol

Actually yes this is really true if you live in a community or area that is calm enough vibe that this yields positive results more often than not. I’ve gotten out of depression loops by just focusing on saying something nice, anything, to every single service person I interact with doing errands—this includes leaving people alone if they are giving “leave me alone body language”. How to get good at interacting? It takes PRACTICE, but the act of practicing 1) calms me down and gets me out of my head and 2) honestly attracts positivity to my day. It also gets easier the more you do it…practice.

Pls stop doing that.

Human contact, be it large or small, is my personal hell.

As a seattlite hello you are my worst nightmare. Creepy serial killer person. Don't talk to me ever unless you know me

I do this sometimes. My husband is embarrassed by it and makes a show of letting me know and other people know that he thinks I'm nuts. I usually just tell him to eff off and walk away with a smile. But sometimes it completely undermines my confidence

I cant

"Decisions, decisions..."

I like to compliment women if they're wearing something really cool. Like, You are rocking those boots, hat, I love that purse, etc. I don't generally compliment men (unless my husband is with me) because you nasty bastards always seem to assume it's some sort of sexual come on. I said I liked your cologne, not "may I suck your d*ck".

The ideal amount of interaction with ppl I don't already know.

i mean OP you're right but also this is considered hella rude in american cities and also the entire northern (north-eastern?) region of the USA.

This happens to me a lot. I have a chronic illness and when i have my bad days, I'm just trying to get home before the crash hits me, and then people start their nice little convo with me. It's nice, but I need all my focus and energy to make it home! Do this on my good days, not my bad days 😩

This only works in a society in which people who are strangers talk to each other

I like this one, a little acknowledgement can go a long way sometimes, u never know what someone is going thru and something as simple as a smile might brighten their day.

I'm guessing you're a man as that's exactly the sort of thing I would expect one to say.

I can concur. I'm hugely introverted but somehow really successful as a server. I used to have massive anxiety before work bc of this, but after just allowing things to pass and knowing I'll have to talk to people and might as well be chill and just engage as much as I can, I've found it a whole lot easier to talk to people. And knowing they have equally as little of import to say helps too lol

I ask how someone's day is. That's basically it. Or if someone is obviously struggling, I'll ask if they need help. I do not make eye contact due to me having autism (95% sure I do), but I do care about the individual person

Alternatively, people will decide you're a weirdo & move away, sometimes rapidly