I remember being told as a child to watch out for strangers; don’t follow them, don’t talk to them and don’t do any favors for them because they might be dangerous. I’m pretty sure every child was taught the “stranger danger” advice whether it be from their parents, teachers and/or siblings. 

I would consider myself a very friendly person. However, my friendliness to those I don’t know depends on many factors. What kind of setting am I in? Is or could this person also be a student like myself? Do they look suspicious? Familiar?

If a stranger were to approach me at night while I’m heading somewhere I would most likely try to avoid them or ignore them – this could be a good or bad thing depending on who you ask. Some might say I shouldn’t avoid them, that stranger could’ve needed my help. Some might say I should avoid them, that stranger could’ve harmed me. 

Not all strangers are bad. Talking to strangers could be a good thing. A stranger could potentially become a new friend or an important person in your life. 

But I also know that there are some people that aren’t open to making new friends at all or creating new relationships with people. These people typically follow the motto “No New Friends” popularized by the Canadian rapper Drake. I definitely don’t fall into that category. 

Despite how a stranger looks, acts, or what setting you’re in, are you most likely to be friendly? Are you most likely to stop and help when a person approaches you and asks you for a favor? Do you see every encounter with a stranger as an opportunity? If you fall into this category, you are very friendly to strangers. 

Does the setting you are in matter? Do you take into account whether or not they look suspicious? Do you still use some of what you were taught about stranger danger as a child? If you fall into this category, your friendliness to strangers depends on certain factors.

Do you completely avoid strangers? Despite how they look or act, no matter the setting, are you most likely to not engage with a stranger? Does stranger danger still play a major role in your life? If you fall into this category, you are not friendly to strangers at all.