I'm a complete introvert, but this is one of my favorite pastimes. Just two strangers with no baggage. My close friend once joked that I attract random people for some reason, and I sometimes feel that she is right.
I'm pretty quiet, and reserved, but for some reason I always end up meeting people during my night walks and have had all manner of conversations, offers, and interactions. I think some people just need someone to talk to that won't judge them.
My recipe is the following: grab a drink from the nearest convenience store (ideally alcoholic), and set out into the night towards the busiest area you can find, and just watch the hustle and bustle.
Just a sample of the adventures I've had: spending a couple hours wandering the streets of Tokyo with a couple Danish tourists during their last night in the city.
Talking for a few hours in a park with an off-duty US military servicemen, after which he suggested we start running drugs from Mexico across the border -- no thank you.
However, one of the most interesting, jarring, and thought provoking interactions I had was with a young man, of obvious African descent. This took place in Bangkok. I was out on one of my night walks, and as usual stopped by a convenience store to grab a drink. I noticed the young man, sitting on the curb, if I recall correctly, having a smoke.
At the time, I was working in Bangkok as an American on a relatively cushy salary and high on life. So I walk over and strike up a conversation, expecting to hear about the adventures that led this gentleman to Thailand. So we chat for a bit, and I tell him about life in Thailand and working as an expat. I then ask him, "So what brought you out here?" He gave me a one word response, that made me realize how privileged I was. That word and his answer was, "war".
He went one to explain that his country undergoing some internal conflict, and he had fled to find a better life. Here I was, a relatively happy and well-paid American -- I really had no response other than listening to his story. We sat there a bit longer just talking about life -- two people from vastly different experiences, sitting on a convenience store curb and enjoying a chat and a drink.
I am fully capable of attending a gathering and socializing for hours or having long conversations, but it exhausts me and I need a lot of recharge time afterwards.
Definitely prefer six out of seven nights a week at home with just my family. Partner definitely likes getting out more, so she routinely walks with friends, etc.
Exactly, this sounds like a story I could have in my life, and I'm also a complete introvert.
I could socialize but basically my battery drains a lot quicker than my peers.
I love working out. As much as I love it, it makes me tired and sometimes, even when I want to do more, I simply can't.
Take the above example, and now apply it to human interaction. That's how it can be for introverts. It doesn't mean a person is shy or avoids social elements. It just means that it is absolutely draining. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, talking to another person or being out in public takes energy. I'm always trying to understand the situation, to not make any faux pas, to be engaged, and to enjoy -- and it's tiring. So I have my limits.
If I'm at a social event past my limit, I need to escape. I get tired, frustrated, and slight panic. Just get me home to re-energize and reflect.
My night time strolls allow me to control my exposure, while still allowing me to enjoy meeting new people.
If I have some free time, 9 times outta 10, I'm curled up with a good audio/book, playing chess, or gaming. But, I still enjoy and seek out human interaction. Hence my original comment to the post.
An introvert is "a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone" [1]. So I agree with you that it is surprising to be a "complete introvert" and to look for social interactions with strangers, even though they are 1-to-1. The people whom I met and who are extremely shy or timid would tend to avoid these, I think.
That being said, I can see how the poster would define himself as an introvert (avoiding social gatherings with a crowd), and be more comfortable alone or with 1-to-1 discussions (actually 3 people, since there is her friend as well). The adjective "complete" in "complete introvert" might be exaggeration though. :)
And it was this encounter that made them realize they're privileged, even though it must've been pretty obvious for all sorts of reasons, not to mention living in one of poorest countries in the world as an US "expat".
Still thought, must be quite a story in some circles.
In any case, wandering the busy streets late at night with a drink is a recepy for meeting new people. That is certainly true
Well, I'm OP, and as fate would have it, I'm actually from Detroit (born and raised).
If you do go, please make sure you have a tour guide. Downtown is safe enough, but if you decide to see the "real" city, you should know where you are going before you go there.
Edit: Just realized you made a comment earlier. Well, as we are discussing now -- I grew up in a low income area in inner-city Detroit and I am a person of color. I never really considered myself as privileged. It's all about perspective.
I did something similar to this at day in high school (without the drink) while at the bus stop.
The problem was that every time I felt that I was impersonating a new character, and all that broke the fun of talking/joking to random people once I met them again by accident.
Its true that while at the public bus (long travel time) you can have those same conversations, but beware the fake friends or what do you want from the relationship.
I'm pretty quiet, and reserved, but for some reason I always end up meeting people during my night walks and have had all manner of conversations, offers, and interactions. I think some people just need someone to talk to that won't judge them.
My recipe is the following: grab a drink from the nearest convenience store (ideally alcoholic), and set out into the night towards the busiest area you can find, and just watch the hustle and bustle.
Just a sample of the adventures I've had: spending a couple hours wandering the streets of Tokyo with a couple Danish tourists during their last night in the city.
Talking for a few hours in a park with an off-duty US military servicemen, after which he suggested we start running drugs from Mexico across the border -- no thank you.
However, one of the most interesting, jarring, and thought provoking interactions I had was with a young man, of obvious African descent. This took place in Bangkok. I was out on one of my night walks, and as usual stopped by a convenience store to grab a drink. I noticed the young man, sitting on the curb, if I recall correctly, having a smoke.
At the time, I was working in Bangkok as an American on a relatively cushy salary and high on life. So I walk over and strike up a conversation, expecting to hear about the adventures that led this gentleman to Thailand. So we chat for a bit, and I tell him about life in Thailand and working as an expat. I then ask him, "So what brought you out here?" He gave me a one word response, that made me realize how privileged I was. That word and his answer was, "war".
He went one to explain that his country undergoing some internal conflict, and he had fled to find a better life. Here I was, a relatively happy and well-paid American -- I really had no response other than listening to his story. We sat there a bit longer just talking about life -- two people from vastly different experiences, sitting on a convenience store curb and enjoying a chat and a drink.