Certainly this article was a bit heavy handed in its recommendations -- in my experience, there is a spectrum of people, with a spectrum of feelings about rando

Certainly this article was a bit heavy handed in its recommendations -- in my experience, there is a spectrum of people, with a spectrum of feelings about random interactions (some of which can even change from day to day, depending on mood). Those personal boundaries should definitely be respected if tested and the stranger does not want to talk. I have seen times when those boundaries have been crossed (particularly when alcohol is involved). It is odd the author did not go into any detail about unwanted interaction, and only focused on extra interaction which supported her hypothesis, without warning for situations which may turn uncomfortable and worse off for the stranger.