I get what you are saying, but you still meet new people at the tourist traps, in fact I would wager that you are more likely to meet people willing to talk to

I get what you are saying, but you still meet new people at the tourist traps, in fact I would wager that you are more likely to meet people willing to talk to you in the popular tourist destinations. Having been off the beaten path I can tell you first hand that many locals aren't interested in chatting up foreigners, they have jobs and lives of their own. Not saying it's not an actual experience you could have, but you can have just as fulfilling experiences in unpleasant locations.