Would you tell a stranger a secret? Would you even talk to a stranger?
By jonnifc
@jonnifc (1017)
Philippines
August 24, 2010 5:14am CST
So I was reading the book "Can You Keep A Secret" by Sophie Kinsella. It's a chick lit. The premise of the story is that a girl who's afraid of flying was on a very turbulent plane ride. She was so scared and convinced that she was going to die that she blurted out a lot of her secrets to the guy seated next to her. That guy happened to be the owner of the multinational company she works for and he was visiting their UK office, where she works. I was thinking, if I felt like I was never going to see the person seated next to me on a long plane ride, would I tell him my secrets? I think I won't. I'm a very private person. I wouldn't even tell the stranger important information about me. I don't easily trust people, you see. So I don't even think I would make conversation. But if I feel like I'm going to die on the plane ride, I think I'll just spend my last hours praying.
But how about you? Would you tell a stranger a secret? Are you the type who would chat up the person next to you if you're on a long ride?
1 person likes this
16 responses
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
24 Aug 10
Sometimes it is easier for me share a secret with a stranger instead of someone i know. A stranger doesn't know you. they have no judgments about you. they will be more honest in expressing their opinions. I only talkto strangers if i don't feel threatened by them. A stranger can become a friend.
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
25 Aug 10
i would chat with the person next to me probably to ease the overwhelming feeling of fear but will definitely not divulge any secret. i think i would not think of my secrets at that point in time. i would actually think about the people i love and what will happen to them if i die. those thoughts i could share with another but no, not my secrets.
@lostgirl201 (102)
•
25 Aug 10
haha..that was a cool story huh..maybe out of her anxieties she just blow it out..maybe to relieve that fear..at that time she needs an outlet and by talking to strangers, she feels somehow relax..but for me, knowing who i am, i think i would rather keep it to myself and spend the time praying to God..
@nayeem_siddiqui (44)
• India
25 Aug 10
Definitely we should not reveal all our secrets to strangers, but it is also not good if we don't have chat with the people seated next to us on a long journey which is also depends upon the person seated beside us. Some people look friendly. So we can share some of our things with them but not all. If your chat made you both friends then its ok otherwise leave it. All the best.
@Tresaqwe (376)
• United States
25 Aug 10
My mom and I listened to that book on audio in the car! I loved that book, it was funny and awesome and just so awkward when she saw him again. :]
Anyway, so I think if I was for sure knowing that the plane would crash, I would probably freak out and just repeat random things, I wouldn't really blurt out all of my secrets. In fact, I'm not sure I really even have that many secrets, so it wouldn't really work out!
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
24 Aug 10
Well, I might talk to a stranger, under some circumstances. However, I don't think that I'd feel comfortable telling them a secret. The reason being that I don't know them and I just don't feel comfortable revealing very personal things to people that I don't much about.
@Renhard (3471)
• Jamaica
24 Aug 10
When i saw this post i was going to say no i wouldnt. But when i really look at it, i realize that is what i have been doing all my life. I guess i am just chat too much. I would never tell secrets to people i knw, but i usually tell it to strangers(but not to strangers i wouldnt communicate to again). Its more like strangers that i will always be able to talk to like via internet, phone etc but still not see.
@Crisfannum1 (314)
• Indonesia
24 Aug 10
I'm not a talkative person. I could just sit down without saying anything to a person next to me for hours, if I don't know them. If they start talking to me, then I will answer politely, but not very excited about it. But if we get along well, and found out that they actually a great person to talk to, then I might aswell share my secret. Why not ?? I won't see them anymore, we don't have the same friends, so...the secret will be save.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
24 Aug 10
As Ix was reading your discussion I was so into the book that I wanted more of the story 
Anyways I suppose it depends on the circumstances and I would probably take the secrets to my grave. I believe if ever in that situation I would be praying more than saying all my secrets..
Anyways I suppose it depends on the circumstances and I would probably take the secrets to my grave. I believe if ever in that situation I would be praying more than saying all my secrets.. @nicole00 (141)
• United States
24 Aug 10
I dont trust people easy either. When it comes to strangers Yes I will talk to a stranger but as far as telling them my biggest secret no way! Alot of things are left better un said when it comes to having a conversation with a stranger keep the conversation about them and say as less as possible about you and your business if they want to dish their info out thats them as for you dont do it!!
@rekon307 (1)
•
25 Aug 10
I think i will not accept the fact that I will die. I`m not the kind of person who can accept something negative, I`m definitely convinced that any problem has a solution. And I don`t think i can spare some of my deeper secrets to anybody.. I`m not that kind of person. But I can try to figure out a solution to stay alive.^^
Nothing it`s impossible.Impossible it`s nothing.
@kristeena (358)
• Philippines
24 Aug 10
I would talk to a stranger if I feel he is approachable but I won't tell any secret. If he seems snob, I will just take a nap and keep myself comfortable.
@mabey1 (334)
• Romania
24 Aug 10
i think i wouldn't tel anything to a stranger that i shouldn't have, i'm not that oppened persone. i don't start talking to strangers, that just not my thing. but many sais that is easier to open up in front of a stranger than persones that you know. i think it's in our human nature.
