On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 23:12:01 -0800, sf > wrote:

>On Sun, 08 Jan 2017 06:56:44 +1100, Jeßus > wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 11:40:08 -0800, sf > wrote:
>>
>> >On Sun, 08 Jan 2017 06:26:04 +1100, Jeßus > wrote:
>> >
>> >> On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 11:22:13 -0800, sf > wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:44:16 +1100, Bruce >
>> >> >wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> On Fri, 06 Jan 2017 18:21:52 -0800, sf > wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> >On Sat, 07 Jan 2017 12:38:40 +1100, Bruce >
>> >> >> >wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Are you saying that the content of stranger chit chat is
>> >> >> >> geographically determined?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >Often. Sometimes it's culturally based, but it's definitely more
>> >> >> >common outside large urban areas. I was brought up in the country and
>> >> >> >have no problem striking up a conversation with the person behind me
>> >> >> >in line. I'm always surprised (but not offended) when someone strikes
>> >> >> >up a conversation with me, because it's behavior that's out of the
>> >> >> >social norm for this particular area.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I guess big city people are more into stranger danger.
>> >> >
>> >> >We live closer together and feel no need to reach out to strangers.
>> >>
>> >> I think it's more a westerner thing rather than anything to do with
>> >> living closer together.
>> >
>> >I think you'll find other North Americans who disagree with that
>> >up-thread. Small town and rural Americans can be quite friendly with
>> >strangers.
>>
>> I would have thought so too. What I meant is westerners tend to not
>> converse to strangers in bigger towns and cities. I found that not to
>> be the case in Phnom Penh, for example. Very friendly people and
>> willing to chat. Interestingly, that includes other westerners there
>> on holidays too, come to think of it.
>
>My experience with Asians on the Asian continent is that they study
>English as a second language and want to practice on native English
>speakers after they feel competent. YMMV, but I think that's what you
>are confusing with friendliness.

That's rather insulting.