Once Upon a Stranger

"If you've ever wondered about, worried about, and avoided talking to strangers, this book might change your mind." Angela Duckworth, author of Grit.

Gillian Sandstrom, "one of the world's experts...on conversational canapés." The Times

In an age when we live head down in our phones, working remotely and wary of strangers, interacting with our fellow human beings feels increasingly uncomfortable. And the result—a pandemic of loneliness and isolation in a polarised society. Over 80% of people say they have experienced loneliness, with the old and young suffering the most.

In Once Upon a Stranger, Professor in the Psychology of Kindness and a self-confessed introvert Gillian Sandstrom draws on her own experiences as well as the latest scientific research to show the life-transforming potential of a tiny everyday exchange with a stranger. For Gillian, such moments led to an entirely new career, a move to a new country, and meeting her life partner.

Not every exchange that you have, whether it's with the person who makes your coffee or the one you stand next to in a lift, will lead to such momentous events. However, they will give you a tiny moment of joy, a spark of connection, the recognition of a fellow human. Just start small... look up, and say hello—you never know where the conversation will lead.