It might just be me, but it seems as though life has become much more impersonal over the years. I believe the technological revolution and displacement caused by urbanization and the sociology of crowds (the move to cities is unprecedented in history) might be chief contributors to a more impersonal feel. Our current work environment likely engenders individual and isolated work more than in previous generations. That most certainly exacerbates the situation. The end result is people being a little less personal; a little less engaged with others they do not know well. It results in a feeling that strangers seem to be getting stranger.
If you question this and happen to live in an urban center give it a test. While commuting on the subway or bus, strike up a conversation with folks and see how long it lasts- if you can get it going at all. Or, just start talking to someone you don’t know as you are walking on the sidewalk to work. My guess is that in both cases the conversation will require significant effort to sustain. In fact, you might find that it is not worth the effort to even begin conversations, much less sustain them in crowded and public settings.
So, while we might be remaining close to those who are already close to us, we seem to be getting farther away from potential acquaintances. Again, strangers are getting stranger.
This is not a healthy trend. It is not at all acceptable for the Christian who possesses the good news. So, don’t let it happen. Start a conversation in a crowded place. Take polite talk a step further in a casual environment. See where it takes you. For me, I find that most people are open to engage in some level of conversation. Some are afraid and some just want to be left alone. However, I have found the ratio favorable on the side of those who like to connect and are eager to pass the time in meaningful dialogue.
I have found people eager to engage even in places where it is obviously not practiced often- at the top of 101 in Taipei, in a crowded market in Addis Ababa, in a crowded Jeepney in Manila, in a New York City train-station and in a London subway. Let’s try to make fewer strangers in the world.