Introduce yourself
Say "hi" in their language
Ask their name
Give your name
Coo at baby
Ask to hold baby
Offer chips from your newly opened bag
Or cookies. Cookies work just as great (and sometimes better)
Ask to take photo of them with whatever cool thing they are carrying/traveling with
(my new friend Juan, a music teacher-turned-entrepreneur preparing to open
his own cafe next week)
Share your music via one headphone (you have the other headphone) (so it's kinda romantic)
Offer your travel pillow to a weary traveler
Try to get a really sweet photobomb and then share
(okay, so I didn't share this one…but it's still really sweet)
Comment on their shirt/bracelet/hat that you like
Snuggle with them while sleeping (this can get iffy, so be careful)
Ask to hold their pet chicken
(my new friend Faith, a hippie Quaker from Pennsylvania, and her green chicken Picante)
Ask where they are from
Sing them a song
Stand up so they can have a seat (and then smile) (but don't fall)
(this was, in fact, in the middle of falling)
Wink at young child
Buy food/drink from traveling vendor and hand to random person
Help them put their belongings on the overhead rack
(ok, so maybe this isn't the best technique, but hey- it worked)
Help them get their belongings down from overhead rack
Share photos of your family.
Ask to see theirs.
Be okay with overcrowding. Smile. Laugh. A lot.
The whole idea is to use your travel day to your advantage. Try not to sleep the whole time- there are more people to meet, places to see, and experiences to be had. Live life abundantly!
