talking to strangers (the nyc subway edition)

why don't strangers regularly talk to each other on the nyc subway?

i don't wanna point at that and say that's what's wrong with the world. but i will point at that and say that this is proof that there is something wrong with the world.

i'd heard rumors that right after September 11th, 2001... for just a little while, people would talk to each other and be nice to each other on the subway. for a brief period in time, i'd hear stories and tales of strangers courageously engaging in conversation with one another, not afraid of what the other person might think of them or what may come of it.

of course, those are just rumors and i can't confirm them... i didn't ride the subway much at that time.

but assuming for a moment that did really happen, why does it take tragedy to bring us together? why do we wait till that point in time to ease up and drop our collective guard and be more comfortable and friendly with one another?

in one sense, it's a little reassuring to know that we at some point have a level we reach where we do talk to each other on the subway... but knowing that we have that potential to do so inside of us, why not practice this more frequently?

in a conversation the other day, i was practically scoffed at for wishing out loud that strangers would talk on the subway. i got a, 'what are you, crazy?' i don't know why that makes me seem crazy. i think it's crazy that we as humans can't relate to each other out on the streets.

maybe i'm a dreamer. maybe i'm a fool. maybe if i did end up talking to strangers on the subway, it'd blow up in my face and i'd end up not liking the people i meet or the conversations i find myself in.

but i'd rather a world where we talk to each other on the subway and we learn not to like someone before assuming all strangers will end up being people that we won't like. i'm sure we'd all get burned eventually.... but it'd be worth it for every time we'd meet someone awesome.