Talking to Strangers Paperback – 30 April 2020

Excellent book , a must read

- it's an interesting topic that is ignored most of the times- book seemed a bit incomplete, concluding it in a page.

Talking to Strangers was for me like hearing a history professor, this is indeed an historic book. Gladwell portrait cases where all the people involved defaulting to truth, and what had happen when that instinct, which part of being human, failed to act.I felt deeply compassion for all the people involved in the cases described in this book, for both parties. Me, as many of the people of the book, as well had been feeling or felt guilty before, because I defaulting to true, but know I have a better understanding of situation that had happened to me or people I care.Next time I will be more aware of who should I blame or judge.I am deeply grateful for the work that Gladwell made to put this amazing book together.I recommend this book to those who are curious or hungry to learn and get an understand of the human behavior

A collection of case studies, some that are relevant and some that I thought are not that relevant, strung together to make the point that people are hard to read. I knew that this book was not about helping people talk to strangers but picked it up because I like to study human psychology. I gave it a three star because I thought the book was unnecessarily long and some case studies were used just to add volume to the book.

The book presents disturbing accounts of true stories that explore human behavior in varied circumstances. These are, indeed, extreme examples used to highlight flawed human behavior.My initial understanding was that we naturally trust others and interpret their tone and body language for clues. However, the book emphasizes the importance of context, which is often overlooked when interacting with strangers.Do we form judgments too quickly? Should we develop mental markers to gauge the level of rapport built during a first encounter?The book certainly exposes instances of injustice within the system. It highlights how social conditioning can fuel wrongdoing on multiple occasions.Undeniably, we are products of our upbringing, environment, and experiences. This shapes how we respond to situations – our background influences our reactions.Despite the darkness revealed, let's hold onto a ray of hope and continue to believe in humanity.Malcolm Gladwell is a passionate writer whose work leaves a lasting impression. His writing feels authentic – while reading, I found myself picturing him speaking, though interestingly, Stephen Dubner's voice played in my head! Every story evoked deep emotions, old scars resurfaced…I couldn’t take my mind off from every encounter shared, mostly in disbelief.I commend Malcolm's courage for connecting the dots and presenting seemingly "bland" situations in a fresh and meaningful light.

Yet another great book from Gladwell. He Talks about how do we guage other people? Do we really know, whom we think we know and trust? What are the biases at play?Gives some really important reasons to not judge others in haste. Author talks about Russian spies, Hitler, high school gymnastic physio, college fraternity parties and effects of alcohol and many other varied areas to make his point. Must read for anyone who is interested in really knowing others, for who they are and not what they appear to be.

Okay, I don't think I could have understood the problem any better, but it left me thirsting for a solution. Hats off for the thoroughness, for keeping me deeply engaged, and for the meticulous thread that held all the pearls together.

Another good read from Gladwell.

My little cousin read this before going into college it’s a great read with a lot of explanation and research to back it this book got me into reading all his other books which are also great!

I think this book should be required reading for everyone. It reminds us that we all have a responsibility to try to understand each other beyond face value and without prejudice. I’ve recommended this to so many people. What Gladwell’s research uncovers about policing resonates and helps to explain the challenging news stories we hear about daily.

Buenisimo como todos los libros del autor. una introspeccion en el arte de escudriñar a la gente y porque no sabemos si dicen la verdad o no entre otras cosas. muy recomendable

Kids should read and discuss this type of book in class, that would change the next generation for better. Necessary read.

Talking to Strangers is another compelling book by Malcolm Gladwell that delves into the complexities of human interaction, particularly with people we don't know. Gladwell examines how our preconceived notions, cultural biases, and psychological quirks can affect our ability to accurately perceive and interact with strangers.Key themes and concepts:The default assumption: The idea that we instinctively assume strangers are friendly and trustworthy until proven otherwise.The stranger effect: The phenomenon of how our perception of strangers can be skewed by our preconceived notions and stereotypes.The power of context: How the environment and circumstances can influence our interactions with strangers.Examples explored in the book:The case of Sandra Bland, a black woman who died in police custody after a traffic stopThe phenomenon of "stranger danger" and its impact on our interactions with strangersThe challenges of communicating effectively across cultural boundariesWhy this book is important:Understanding human interaction: Talking to Strangers provides valuable insights into the complexities of human relationships, particularly with those we don't know.Improving communication: The book offers practical advice on how to communicate more effectively with strangers and avoid misunderstandings.Challenging our biases: Gladwell encourages us to question our preconceived notions and stereotypes about strangers.If you're interested in learning more about human psychology, communication, and the challenges of interacting with strangers, Talking to Strangers is a thought-provoking and informative read.