Sangha of Auspicious Companions

Handwritten Notes Connect Strangers in British Columbia

Carrie Parsons left invitations around to buy a stranger a cup of coffee in exchange for conversation when she had a realization: “I was learning so much about myself; I really wanted to take this personal project and make it public and let other people learn as much about themselves and others as I’m doing.” She launched Meet a Stranger in July 2024 that attracts about fifty people to each gathering. Cafes and coffee shops use three different methods: monthly events, buttons, and table signs that signal a person is open to a chat. “Ninety to 95 per cent of the people who came were introverts,” she said. “They were all saying the exact same thing: I want to connect with strangers. I just feel like I need permission or an invitation to connect.” “People are lonely. Once you see the problem and the simple, organic solution, you can’t not do it.”

Be The Change

Think of one way to create an “invitation” to chat with a neighbor or someone else you may not know well, or join a local meetup.