When strangers meet

In our childhood, we were always told to stay away from strangers and never talk to them because a danger waits ahead once your broke the house rule.  You probably had one or several unforgettable experiences that puts you into risk, as well as good happenings when interacting with strangers. We understand its for protection and safety.

Nowadays, the traditional perception has drastically changed, especially that we live in the computer age where everything is possible in a simple click of the mouse. We meet a lot of strangers in the information superhighway. We interact with them. We share common ideas and interests. We make good relationships with the faceless people.

We have joined groups or invited by our friends to join them. We meet a lot of people whose beliefs are contrary to ours but we respect what they believe in. These people that we interact somehow influence us in one way or another. Not until, we meet these intangible individuals they still remain as our strangers.

What happens when two strangers meet?

Let me share you amazing experiences which I had with people I initially meet online.

My blogging past time brought me to this individual who is also a blogging addict. He had lots of interesting works that could tickle the reader's. We did had discussion on several issues from business, social, moral and even psychological in nature. It turned out that he was a retired medical doctor and is into online counseling to keep himself busy and sane. I meet the Filipino doctor together with his wife in their hometown. They cook the local specialty which I tasted for the first time. They were very hospitable. I had the chance to tour their ancestral house with them both telling stories about their siblings who are all successful in their chosen fields.

She was very straightforward on her comments. She shares intelligent suggestions and posts to the group. She suddenly vanished for no apparent reason. Everyone was surprised because she was very active in group interaction. We had a lot of interesting discussions. One day, she informed me that she and her American boyfriend with be coming for a vacation. Fast forward. I meet them both in a local fast food chain. I guided them to several spots and points of interest in the city. We dined and shared amazing stories.

I bumped his book online on Philippine cuisine and novels on travel. He is a Filipino author and food enthusiast based in the US. But he seldom talks about it during our interaction which focuses on life in a foreign country and development in the Philippines- social, economic etc.. Just recently, he flew in for a vacation and dropped by to meet me personally. I became an instant tour guide and treated him the hospitality that every tourist should experience.

The actual face to face encounter with all of them was memorable and amazing. They were strangers back then but now, they are real people that I have built good relationships.

I am looking forward to meet some online friends in the coming years. A Japanese fish monger. A Malaysian editor. An Australian novelist. A Filipino entrepreneur. An American facility director.

In God's time.