2007-10-23 02:14:29 · 19 answers · asked by Lady M 6 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
On a philosophical take on this, I would say it comes down to an ability to trust or predict a persons actions. You may "know" somebody for a while but then be surprised by an aspect of their personality or actions, making them seen like a stranger to you, as if you didn't really know them. Anyone you know nothing about, is a stranger. This allows for you to have never met, for example, Prince Charles, but he is not a stranger technically. You know his history and can, on a basic level, predict his actions. You know that if you ran into him, he wouldn't try to harm you. The concept of "stranger" is often tied in our minds to issues of safety, particularly for children. This makes a difficult paradox where you want to ensure your childs safety, but at the same time do not want to grow up with a feeling of fear about every person they do not know.
2007-10-23 02:23:37 · answer #1 · answered by Matthew D 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Funny that I just stumbled across this question. I recently met a guy (we were both drunk at a wedding) and we exchanged numbers. We chatted on a phone for a bit over a week. We chatted about HIM and HIS interests and HIS life; each time I tried to share something he would make some sort of assumption and take over the conversation. For example, when I tried to tell him about my career he didn't listen, he interrupted and explained to me what he assumed I did all day. Honest to god. In any event, we set up a date for when he would be in town the second weekend. I had a family emergency and had to cancel. When I asked for a rain check he freaked out a bit and sent text messages and voice messages all weekend about how I was "not taking our relationship seriously," I didn't "seem into the relationship," etc. When I got back I told him that we were still effectively strangers and in no way in some sort of relationship. You would have thought I killed his puppy.
My point is that I've been giving this very question some thought lately. I think the definition of stranger depends on the context. It can either be the straightforward "We've never spoken before" idea or it can refer to the above situation where at least one of the people doesn't take the time to really learn anything about the other. In that case, no matter how much you think you like me you don't know me and are still considered a stranger (in the grand scheme of all possible relationships.)
2007-10-23 02:40:11 · answer #2 · answered by snoopy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A stranger is a person identified by an individual or group as an outsider, as removed from the group - be that a national identity, religion, neighborhood, family, etc.
2007-10-23 02:35:56 · answer #3 · answered by Steve C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the stranger is when you sit on your hand until it goes numb then you beat off with it. You can't feel your hand, so it feels like a stranger is giving you the touch!
2007-10-23 07:45:05 · answer #4 · answered by Jesse B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The persom that won't send me cash through the mail, that won't let me keep the proceeds of me selling their precious works of art off their walls and who wouldn't hold open the door for a crippled crow.
2007-10-24 13:59:16 · answer #5 · answered by Ronatnyu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One who stranges. The "er" suffix attached to a verb creates a word that means one who does that verb. So, if you strange, you are a stranger.
2007-10-23 02:23:02 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
person who wishes to stay stranger for people surround him
2007-10-23 06:11:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A friend you haven't met yet. Everyone has potential it's all a matter of trying to find it.
2007-10-23 11:50:52 · answer #8 · answered by flawd_beauty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone you don't know and never talked to ( And yes, asking directions, and online chat doesn't count)
2007-10-23 20:40:27 · answer #9 · answered by shrek 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A friend I`ve yet to meet.
2007-10-23 04:12:59 · answer #10 · answered by finn mchuil 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋