We all have been taught as a child not to talk to strangers. Though, it may be sound advice when we were kids, this teaching followed us for the rest of our lives. As I am sitting here tonight reflecting on life. I think one can never overstate the importance of common sense and that we need to instill that in our children for those with kids, and to nurture that ability in ourselves.

Common sense tells us not to talk to strangers while in a dark alley. Common sense tells us to avoid strangers following us in a car and offer us a ride. Common sense tells us that if you are a woman to avoid bars that are known for drunks and druggies.

But, beyond that we really should make an effort to talk to strangers. If you think about it – we come in contact with strangers the second we were born – meet our parents for the first time, first day of pre-school – interact with teachers and other kids for the first time without our parents around, first day of a new job – work with new co-workers, first day moving into a neighborhood – say hi to Jerry the noisy neighbor, first time we met our spouse – honey, I knew you were the one, when we are sick admitting to a hospital – meet our surgeons & the lazy careless nurse, when we are dying our family admit us to a hospice – hopefully a compassionate staff that we manage to pissed of…because we are dying, and when we are dead – meet our God, or the devil for the first time.

So as you can imagine, what a difficult life it would be to be afraid of strangers all of our lives. My advice for you and for myself…talk and interact with strangers as much as possible while avoid strangers when the situation warrant it. Use common sense.