Make the Wait Great

Over half of us think our busy lives stop us from making connections with other people.  

But every day we spend time waiting – at bus stops and train stations or queuing at the supermarket – that we could use to connect with people around us. 

Make the Wait Great

91% of us think that small moments of connection can make a difference to someone who is feeling lonely.

It could be as simple as smiling at the person next to you, or starting a chat while waiting for the bus.

For some older people, a trip out to the shops or getting the bus might be the only interaction they have all day.

This small moment of connection might seem like nothing to you, but it could be the highlight of someone else’s day.

On average, we spend almost six hours a month waiting or queuing.

While that might not sound a lot, that’s nearly 6 months of our entire lives!

The idea of waiting around is boring at best – for a lot of us it’s plain annoying. We might huff and puff and complain about the delay, or scroll through our phones to pass the time.

But what if we tried to make the experience better for everyone, and use that down time to talk to the people around you?

Tips and Ideas to Get You Started

Look up and engage with the people around you

Look up from your phone, take off your headphones, and be aware of those around you. This makes you seem more open to connecting with others.

You might see someone else who’s sat alone. Someone like you, or someone completely different. They might want to chat, or they might not.

Small talk

You could also try making small talk about the weather or delays. Finding something that you might have in common is a great way to start a conversation.

Offer help

Does anyone around you need help carrying a pram or luggage up the stairs? Does someone need a hand with their shopping? Offering help can often be a great way to start a conversation.

Respect boundaries

Not everyone wants to chat. And that’s ok.

If someone has their headphones on, or their phone out, it’s usually a sign they don’t want to be interrupted. They could be busy, or just simply not feel like chatting. And that has to be respected.

But, that’s also why the act of taking your headphones off, or putting your phone away is so powerful; it gives others the sign that you might be open to having a chat as well.

Useful links

Small talk can make a huge difference to people who are struggling with their mental health. Samaritans have a fantastic campaign called ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’, encouraging people to take that step and talk to someone who you think might be at risk.

For more tips on how to talk to strangers, you can also read our blog from renowned social psychologist, Dr Gillian Sandstrom.

Let’s Be More Together

Let’s #BeMoreUs

Let’s Make the Wait Great.