Was literally just having a conversation with friends about loneliness and depression, and I cited studies about people knowing their neighbors less now than in the past and we agreed that suburban sprawl and car-centric city planning was a factor. Good timing to see this!
Oh yeah. We didn't really get to know our neighbors until we adopted a dog and were out walking him regularly.
Also, I have an RV and we spend a lot of time in campgrounds. Same thing there - it's nothing to chat with some random stranger for 15-20 minutes. Usually the conversations center around where we're going, where we've been, where home is, and so on. Then we never see them again, usually. Occasionally we form longer term friendships.
No kidding. You aren’t making friends sitting in a car in traffic. If anything you’re probably more likely to road rage and be more stressed and angry.
Walking also just makes me feel better when I get a chance.
Walking beside the 6 lane road yesterday. Traffic was backed up as always. Seeing all cars, mostly with just the driver. I wondered if in the horse & cart days if people talked to each other as the traveled along on their horse. Or crossed paths. I bet they did.
