Take Time To Talk

I read an article at the weekend that was discussing the interesting topic of how these days, people just don’t talk to each other like they used to.

We are all so engrossed in our phones, tablets and busy lives that the thought of talking to someone in a queue, or starting up a conversation on public transport, doesn’t even cross our minds. We sit down and have a coffee or a sandwich by ourselves, get the train every morning and sit alone or take a pew in the waiting room and simply wait quietly to be called.

I think we’re all guilty of it. What would you say? Do they even want to talk back? Will you just be thought of as a nuisance?

The truth is though, that loneliness is a big issue today. It’s said that millions of people in the UK – young and old – don’t always speak to somebody every day. Some will go days without human contact. I was speaking with my friend who said her partner’s grandma had admitted she would take her dog out at a particular time every day, knowing she would cross paths with other people who she may be able to strike up a conversation with. Isn’t that sad? That there are so many people just wanting to have a chat or a natter. To talk about their day or even just to discuss the weather.

We’ve gotten to the point where people don’t even expect you to talk to them. That they may feel awkward or uncomfortable if you start up an unprompted conversation. While there are charities now, like The Silver Line, that encourage you to make contact with people, especially the older generation, there’s no harm in applying this to every day life either. 

I’m not saying you must start up a conversation at every opportunity, but on the odd occasion when you can sense someone may want to, why not give it a go? What’s the worst that can happen? It might even make you feel better too.