Encounters with strangers can be a humbling reminder of the vastness of the world and of each other, the impossible-feeling truth that each one of us contains an entire universe of inner life and a singular perspective, that as a species we have an incredible capacity for kindness, cruelty, courage and creativity.

So, if talking to strangers seems daunting to you, it might help to think that by doing so, you could give someone the gift of being seen.