As children, our parents taught us don’t talk to strangers. These words became a shield that protected us from the people who wanted to hurt us. As we grew up, life became more and more about not only talking to strangers, but learning to love some of these strangers. From blind dates to networking at conferences, cultural wealth became based on our ability to walk into a crowd of the unknown, and interact as if you’ve known these people your entire life. Why is it then that some people still hear the silent whispers of their parents saying, don’t talk to strangers? Moreover, why is it that some people are still debilitated by these whispers when it comes to forming relationships and succeeding in life? In a society that has approximately 50% single people who have never married and hyper-segregated by economy status and sometimes race, it is time that we start asking these questions.

There are many people searching for life partners that have not shaken this idea, and as a result, has suffered when it came to opening themselves up to a relationship. They search for lovers in friends, and all too often find that either the friend is already in a committed relationship, has other interests, or is simply interested in maintaining a friendship. Those who have begun to open their minds to talking to strangers often turn to the computer to begin their search. They often encounter an arena where cougars pose as cubs; short, bald, and gruesome pose as tall, dark, and handsome, etc. As a result, people become disenchanted with the dating process, and become afraid to talk to strangers.

It is high time that we change our way of thinking of strangers, which starts with knocking the idea that every stranger is a potentially evil person waiting to do their will with you. It’s okay to go to a bar alone with the expectation that you can meet someone that you may click with, and potentially have a fulfilling relationship with. It’s even okay to stray from normal friends at times to gain a new perspective of the people that coexist in the world around you.

Even if you’re not looking to get the next engagement ring, the ability to immerse yourself in a crowd of strangers and create friends is important. People who succeed in their jobs or careers are able to network with people of different backgrounds, and are able to see potential in people who they may only have known for five minutes. These people gain promotions faster, they are able to realize their dreams at a much faster rate than those who stick to the people they’ve always known.

Long story short, start talking to strangers.