Is it normal to introduce yourself to a total stranger?

Question

What would you think (and how would you feel) if some random person just comes up to you, offers his hand, and introduces himself to you?

Answer 1

I'd laugh, usually they make a remark or start small talk first. It's not normal, but it's not forbidden.

Answer 2

Well, if you were the stranger, you should introduce yourself first and then wait for the other person to offer their hand. It is a less aggressive way of introducing yourself.

Answer 3

There is nothing with it, I would be flattered if a handsome stranger politely introduces himself to me, It could be the start of something great. Who knows, you could get a friendship or something out of it. Don't think anything of it.

Answer 4

Usually people don't just introduce themselves. They start out with a comment or question about something that the other person is reading, wearing, or doing.

Answer 5

I would think that person is trying to sell something, or trying to scam something from me. I do not talk to total strangers unless introduced through a person i know or i meet them at a party of someone I know. There is at least an assumption that your friend has enough sense to not associate with people that associate with people who are scum.

Answer 6

A bit odd, but not necessarily threatening. Some people do that when they see someone they'd like to meet and there's no one around to introduce them...ya gotta get things started somehow. ☺☻

Answer 7

well i live in california and one day i was at the bus station after school waiting to go home..when this random guy ame up to me and introduced himself as mauricio...i was gunna ignore him at first but he took my hand and shook it then kissed me on the cheeck (he comes form mexico and its polite to do that) and well i decided to give him a chance at a friendship and that blossemed into so much more!

Answer 8

I might think it is a little odd if I was just walking down the street. If I were at a cafe or a public place though, I don't think I would be too put off.

Answer 9

Depends on the stranger.
I don't know about you, but I would be glad to meet my next best friend.
As long as they aren't selling anything or asking me for money, I'll shake the hand of a real angel.

Answer 10

I would think they were a decent human being. How else are adults supposed to get to know each other? Now, it might be awkward if the stranger didn’t explain that he/she doesn’t know you yet but would like to. But as long as they explain that, it would be nice for someone to say hello to me just to be saying hello to me.