I sometimes walk in Centretown and I have noticed more friendliness - just eye contact and smiles even during the current antivax Occupation.
I have to say though I am actively looking for that engagement. I will make eye contact briefly and if there's a smile that looks like it might be possible, I smile! I'll nod a good morning at the drop of a hat. Which is weird because I used to think of myself as a shy person.
I don't wear a mask outside. It's difficult to register smiles with one on.
I've just recently read a great book called The Power of Strangers - the Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World. It makes the point that most people are reluctant to connect because of fear of rejection, but sociologists have shown that when people do reach out, the majority will respond in a positive way. The book goes into how to connect, and why meeting and talking to strangers is a good thing. The benefits include a boost to your mental health, learning new things, hearing stories, sharing ideas and viewpoints. In today's polarized world, this one-on-one activity is even more critical.
I know the feeling and it sucks. My dad is reading this book to help in his line of work and he gave me some protips from it that I have yet to try:
The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World https://www.amazon.com/dp/1984855778/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_BB6413AJ13DHXR0SPPS6
One was to phrase "how are you?" as "on a scale of 1-10, how's your day going so far?"
This makes them think and give a number. They might ask you the same thing back.
If it's not 10, you can ask "what would have to happen to move your day from X to a 10?"
More open ended questions while still being polite and unintrusive. Maybe there are some more good pointers in that book, but idk from experience.
Well, I turned to the man sitting at the next table, but yes, that's what I did.
Is it boldness? I don't know. I've just done it all my life. I grew up before the age of the smart phone and texting. It would appear that texting has killed a generation's ability to talk to people IRL. That's a pity because it's creating a pandemic of loneliness and (IMHO) a lack of empathy.
We have a lot of young people on this subreddit posting that they are lonely and are having trouble meeting people. I strongly recommend that these folks read the book The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World by Joe Keohane. Or at the very least, listen to this CBC interview with the author: Why it's good to talk to strangers, now more than ever.