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Talk to someone new

The “Talk to someone new” campaign continues to spread good deeds in Vaasa and encourages residents to talk to strangers. Participate in events or share your story. Let’s make talking to strangers a shared act of happiness among the people of Vaasa! 


Saying hello, exchanging a friendly word or two in a checkout queue or meeting new people at an event – the Talk to Someone New campaign is about all this and much more. The aim of the campaign is to create positive encounters that increase happiness, and to stimulate discussion on how small encounters can make a big difference.

See all events.

Read stories of positive encounters

Small everyday encounters can make a big difference, and we can all play our part in creating a friendlier atmosphere. Read stories of positive and impactful encounters and be inspired! Who could you start a conversation with today?

Meeting people on the train

A long journey on the train can be well spent chatting with the person sitting next to you if that’s OK with them.

Read the story

Walking the dog

“Is it a he or a she?” or “What breed is s/he?” Dogs are always an easy subject to talk about.

Read the story

Talk to Someone New campaign events

Clubs, associations, companies, hobby groups, housing associations, etc. – get involved in organising Talk to Someone New campaign events! We have put together ideas, tips, and ready-to-use materials to help you organise your event.

To Event Organisers

Talk to someone new -locations

You can easily start talking to a stranger at, for instance, on benches specifically intended for conversations with strangers. You can recognize the Talk to someone new -locations by the campaign's symbol. At each location, you will also find a tip for starting a conversation.

See all Talk to Someone New -locations

Tips for starting a conversation

Starting a conversation with a stranger may sometimes feel awkward. What if I say something stupid or they don’t want to talk? Most people are happy when someone starts a conversation, so be brave and start one. Here are a few tips to get you started! (And remember that you can also politely decline.)

  • The weather. What kind of weather do you like best?
  • Hobbies and interests. What do you do in your free time?
  • Travelling. Where have you been or where would you like to visit?
  • Food and restaurants. What are some of your favourite foods?
  • Books and movies. Have you read an interesting book or seen a good film recently?
  • Animals and pets. What is your favourite animal? Do you have pets?
  • News and events. Have you been wondering about something you heard in the news recently?
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