The shy connector: How to get strangers to talk to you

Re:The shy connector: How to get strangers to talk to you by pavel_lishin on Wednesday August 12, 2009 @11:04AM (#758235)

True, but I wish someone would write a guide for people like me to avoid conversation with strangers when I don't want to have one.

If I'm in an elevator, what's the quickest way to make someone stop talking to me about my bike? If I'm waiting for a bus, what's the quickest way to get a stranger to stop talking to me about his life? If I'm reading a book, what's a polite and effective way of saying "Sorry if you're illiterate, but I actually do read for pleasure"?

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Re:The shy connector: How to get strangers to talk to you by biohacker42 on Wednesday August 12, 2009 @11:13AM (#758255)

Some people you just can't shut up. But the wast majority of humanity will take a serious face and terse answer as a clear sign you have no desire to chat.

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Re:The shy connector: How to get strangers to talk to you by dtf on Wednesday August 12, 2009 @12:51PM (#758526)

You should move to London. Nobody will ever bother you, unless it's to shout at you for doing something wrong.

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