meet a stranger:
While undertaking the Fifty First Dates Project, Carrie met 31/50, Jacinthe. Sharing the desire to build community and encourage social engagement, the two women decided to create a monthly meet up for strangers to connect platonically through conversation.
While Jacinthe is a self-professed Introvert, Carrie is not. The two women have blended their individual communication styles to create a dynamic that appeals to both introverts, and extroverts.
Strangers are paired at random, and in keeping with the rules from the Fifty First Dates Project, the two will have one hour to get to know each other, and see life from someone else's perspective. The gathering is open to any adult who wishes to participate in a shared human experience. In addition to building a sense of community, the monthly gatherings aim to help soften the edges of judgement, finding common ground beyond social labels. This platonic meeting is a chance to get to know a complete stranger - if only for one hour.
Everyone is welcome. Please arrive promptly, as pairs will be matched immediately , allowing conversations to begin by ASAP. Keep an eye on the location, as we will be using three different locations around the city to try to make this more accessible to all.
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DECEMBER EVENT: Saturday December 21, 2024 from 2pm until 3.15pm
Location: COOK STREET VILLAGE ACVITITY CENTRE
380 Cook Street - in the Auditorium
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Both Carrie and Jacinthe are delighted to announce that as of July 25, 2024, their "Meet A Stranger" Initiative is now officially sponsored by the City of Victoria and the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association. Thank you to both sponsors for their support!
Want to stay in the loop on UPCOMING EVENTS? Join the mailing list and stay up-to-date with what's happening with this project!
The CODE OF CONDUCT is listed at the bottom of this page.
Photo gallery from the OCTOBER event:
Photo gallery from the july event:
Photo gallery from the august event:
code of conduct:
Why a Code of Conduct?
Let's get real here for just a moment . We are all strangers, meeting strangers. Let's make sure we are all on the same page about some basic principles that will help keep this new project running smoothly, and keep everyone feeling safe and welcome.
Alright, I'll read them!
Great choice! Thank you!
1. These are PLATONIC meetings. Looking for a romantic connection? Try Tinder instead!
2. It is highly likely that you will meet a stranger who has a very different lived experience than you. That's a good thing - we grow through exploring life from someone else's point of view. Please be respectful of any differences or boundaries between pairs.
That's basically it. Be respectful, and don't hit on anyone. These two are our dealbreakers, and we will enforce these two rules as a way to keep everyone safe.
How about some Tips to help lead to smoother conversations?
Heck yeah!
1. Are you an introvert, and nervous about starting the conversation? Don't worry; we've got you covered! We will have a takeaway list of conversational prompts to help get you started.
2. We will ring a bell to indicate the start of the hour, and ring it again to mark the conclusion of the hour. If you're going to be strolling around, we recommend that you whip out your phone and set an hour alarm.
3. We are all strangers, true. But we all have something in common: we are all coming with the intention of having a conversation with a stranger. There's no need for intrusive thoughts such as, "oh boy, what if this person doesn't want to talk to me?" That's literally why they are there - to talk to YOU!
4. You will likely be paired with someone with very different opinions than you. That's the point! Try to come at it with an open mind, and an open heart. It's a learning expereience for us all!
5. Awkwardness and discomfort are part of the process. It's OK to be curious when these feelings arise. After the conversation is over, sit with those emotions for a while and try to figure out WHY you felt certain ways about aspects of a conversation. Introspection is one of the greatest parts of conversing with a stranger!
6. We all have biases. It's a powerful gift to grow awareness about our own biases, and reflect on where they originated from.
7. Be mindful of respecting other's boundaries, but also about setting and enforcing your own. It's a two-way street.
8. It's OK to say, "I don't feel comfortable talking about this." Boundary-setting 101!
9. We have a "Mediator in a Box" tool kit available if you feel you need assistance de-escalating a tense conversation.
10. This is just one hour of your life! Have fun, relax, and enjoy meeting a stranger!