Great idea, and worth mentioning! Every day I talk to random people. Eat breakfast at a lunch counter and greet anybody who sits nearby. Last one was a medical

Great idea, and worth mentioning! Every day I talk to random people. Eat breakfast at a lunch counter and greet anybody who sits nearby. Last one was a medical student, asked if he knew my daughter-in-law, he remembered her! She's on to Residency now; he's doing some rounds or something, he wasn't clear, but it was his day off(!) and he planned to slack, take a walk, anything but be in the hospital. I know all the staff at the diner by name, and something about their lives. I've seen Steven's brother's wedding pictures, know about Izzy's poor puppy and his problems. Stephanie is looking for work in marketing management. Madison has been working the family restaurant business since she was four! The grocery-store mention works for me too. I say something about whatever folks have going on. "Wow you buy healthier stuff than me!" is a good start, even if it isn't true. Or "You must be shopping for a crew!" gets a good response - everybody like to talk about their kids. Or even "Wow it's raining cats and dogs!" and suchlike. I endorse this idea, that we're all passengers on this trip and should get to know our nearby voyagers if at all possible.