Some good comments here.
I think it's a significant thing - to be able to talk with people...carry on a conversation.
What kills me is when you're standing in line at a store and no one is even attempting to carry on a conversation with anyone else....instead they just stand there....impatiently waiting for their turn at the register.
For stores that have self-checkout, that's how I do it. Otherwise whoever is in front or behind me is going to be engaged while we wait. It's damn amazing how interesting life is when you talk to strangers. The things you hear about is not available anywhere else.
I get this from my Mom who has always had an outgoing manner about her.
Rod Stewart said "Every picture has a story." He's right. We're surrounded by pictures - and people - every day. And they all have stories.