10/18 Talking to strangers (Host: Rock)

[Rock]

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Rock here. I'm into thinking about happiness so I'd like to invite you guys to talk about something that happy people seem to be good at-- talking to strangers. I guess many Taiwanese, just like me, are rather stay away from it because we are shy or introverted or simply lazy. But we know we sometimes have to face it, even when it's difficult. And who knows? It may make you even feel happier and smarter, according to the following articles.

Session One
Talking to strangers might make you happier

Talking to strangers might make you happier, a study on 'relational diversity' finds
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/29/11320789 ... ness-study
Why talking to strangers can make us smarter
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2022 ... us-happier
A Complete Beginner’s Guide on How to Talk To Strangers.
https://medium.com/@talkingwithedward/a ... bc3f3c229f
Questions
1. Is it generally fun talking to strangers? Please share an experience with us.
2. Do you agree that talking to strangers can make you happier and smarter? Why or why not?
3. Why are some people afraid of talking to strangers? How can you talk to strangers more comfortably? Do you think it's an useful skill that we should learn? And how?

Session Two
Why Swedes don’t speak to strangers
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/2020 ... -strangers

Questions
4. What are the reasons that Swedes don't speak to strangers? Is it similar to Taiwan? Do you like it?
5. What's the best thing that could happen if you are better at talking to strangers?
6. After this meeting, would you start trying to talk to strangers more to make a difference? Why or why not?

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Agenda:
3:45 ~ 4:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
4:00 ~ 4:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
4:10 ~ 4:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
4:50 ~ 5:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
5:10 ~ 5:20pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Short Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
5:15 ~ 5:55pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
6:00 ~ 6:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
6:20 ~ 6:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements

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Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘

Important Notes:
1. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
2. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three-minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion.
3. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for three times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1000 lifetime membership fee, or NT$500 for students.