Why We Feel Comfortable with Strangers?
Spending time with people is not always enough to feel connected to them. It’s a curious human mystery that sometimes we feel closer to strangers we meet in a bar or on a flight than to colleagues we spend most of our days with. This suggests that while time together creates the opportunity for closeness, it does not guarantee it.
True closeness arises when your sense of idealism aligns with theirs. Some people bond over loud parties and shared activities. Others connect through shared values, perspectives, and worldviews. But when an idealist meets a pragmatist, the clash can be jarring.
How you see the world shapes the kind of connections you form. Idealists often crave depth, while their partners may demand more practicality. The advice to “get over it,” “move on,” or “stop overthinking” reflects a pragmatic mindset, one that idealists struggle to accept.
So the next time you’re at a party or chatting with colleagues, pay attention to how they perceive the world. There is no single right way to live or to see things, your approach depends on what you seek from life. If you are looking for practical experiences, you may not feel truly close to someone who views everything through a metaphysical lens.
Learn to recognize how someone thinks, and you’ll save yourself much disappointment. And when you do find the right person, pause, smile, and share your stories.