What does Hello Stranger mean?

Ever had someone you hadn't seen for a long time say "Hello Stranger" to you? A stranger is someone who you don't know and, paradoxically, sometimes we find it easier to talk to a stranger!

The internet is full of strangers that are easy to talk to.

What does that say about us?

Perhaps there are deeper unfulfilled parts of ourselves we find it easy to talk with a stranger. Easier to reveal things. We feel we can open up to strangers and can speak freely - but is it an illusion or a need - nice to have the freedom that goes with this illusion?

Reminds me of a time I was on a train - far from home and talking to the person next to me - a kind of intimacy, mutual curiosity with no strings attached, nothing to lose, no risk, nothing to go wrong...you are leaving anyway - going your separate ways.

Do humans need this? Is this what psychology is based on?

Is this what we get out of social media?

But when the person turns up again...then what do you do?

Is it awkward? You haven't seen them for a long time - especially when you seem to have had a connection, intimacy or friendly communication before he/she disappeared - then they show up...what then?

What do you do about the 'psychologist' you revealed so much to!?

You may contemplate that perhaps you did not know this person who came and went before you got too familiar or perhaps you knew them too well or thought you did or didn't want to get familiar - too much at stake.

Yes, you could talk to a stranger, like he or she was your psychologist and when you talk to a stranger things can get complicated, timing doesn't always work out, you can get a lost in the connection and what happens when lives are on separate paths.

The expression Hello Stranger was the title of a 1963 hit by Barbara Lewis.

Thanks for giving us that Barbara!

Lyrics...

"Hello Stranger it's seems so good to see you back again...tell me how long has it been.. it seems like a mightly long time ...I'm so glad...mmm..you stopped by to say hello to me - that's the way it used to be...it seems like a mighty long time...shoobubshoobub!"

and the song has been covered by many other famous artists including the Supremes and Four Tops who were all the rage in the disco era.