Herd effect?

[kimberkit]

I've noticed a very strange effect on the subway. When I'm with someone else -- say, pinkrhino or ginnunggap -- random strangers come up to us. They ask for directions and they chatter.

Anyway. The "random stranger" approach thing just never happens when I'm by myself. Ever. But put me next to someone else, and all of a sudden the company gets really enticing. Perhaps it's just that two people feel safer than one person to approach -- you're joining a herd, rather than being creepy with a stranger. So it could be that it's just a group thing, and all groups have people approach them. Or it could be because I hang out with really approachable or pretty Anna-type people. Or perhaps my company is noxious and only bearable with another person around. I'm not sure what's up with that, anyway -- what do you think?

Comments

[greyduck.livejournal.com]

I think it's that groups (even of two) are more approachable than an individual person. Your company certainly isn't noxious!

[kimberkit.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Okay :) Good to know!