Once Upon a Stranger

In an age when we live head down in our phones, working remotely and wary of strangers, interacting with our fellow human beings feels increasingly uncomfortable. And the result - an epidemic of loneliness and isolation in a polarised society. Over 80% of people say they have experienced loneliness with the old and young suffering the most.

In Say Hello to Strangers, Professor in the Psychology of Kindness and a self-confessed introvert Gillian Sandstrom, draws on her own experiences as well as the latest scientific research to show the life-transforming potential of a tiny everyday exchange with a stranger. For Gillian, such moments led to an entirely new career, a move to a new country and meeting her life partner.

Not every exchange that you have, whether it's with the person who makes your coffee or the one you stand next to in a lift, will lead to such momentous events but they will give you a tiny moment of joy, a spark of connection, the recognition of a fellow human. Just start small...look up, and say hello - you never know where the conversation will lead.