I’ve been getting frustrated on the apps and have been working hard on getting more comfortable with talking to strangers IRL. The main thing I’ve been focusing on is such a simple idea, but so powerful. And it’s just.. common ground.
I do this both with other men and women. I find something in common and just start a conversation around something that we are both experiencing. And I do it all the time, regardless of romantic interest.
Striking up a conversation with the dude next to me at the bar when I see he’s wearing a hat from a city I know. Talking to a girl as we are both leaving a concert about a guitar player that was absolutely shredding. Standing in line at a restaurant and asking someone if they have been there before and what they like.
Repetition, repetition, repetition. I’m conditioning myself to be completely unafraid of talking to strangers. What’s the worst that can happen?
Practice makes perfect. I’ve made some new friends this way and have also picked up some Instagram handles and numbers doing this.
Scary at first, but nothing is as scary as we make it out to be in our heads.