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I made a friend at the dog park a few months ago. We have some things in common so it's a go. Took 3 years living here, though. Most people are busy with their own lives and don't really want to take on any new friends. I've found that to be true no matter where I've lived. The person I met recently happens to be from my home area. We now live in what is to us, a nutty part of the country (being nice here), plus we are dog lovers and spiritually inclined as well as loving all kinds of ethnic food (not so easy to find here) so there is plenty to talk about.
I think it's okay to say "hi" or to comment on the dog and see what kind of reaction you get. If stranger is not definitely responding friendly enough, then you can assume he/she has too many friends and wish the person a good day and immediately leave the general premises after and go about your own day.
I wouldn't try to look them up on anything unless you feel like someone is being really mean to you or you're talking in-person to trade contact info. to keep a positive connection.
If someone is being really mean to you and you figure out who they are, just block them. That's what I do. I don't need mean people knowing more about me than they might already know. Not worth the trouble.
Oh I should add, if a random feed shows us someone we may have interest in over social media, it's human for us to look. Most if not all of us do that. So, go ahead and look, but don't try to reach out or friend them without enough context.
How common is it to make a new friend with a stranger in public?
I often go walking at the local park for exercise. I enjoy spending time outdoors and love all that nature has to offer. Every time I go to the park, ironically I see the same individual there walking their dog. Some days I'm there first and other days this person is already there before me. We usually walk past each other on the walking trial and make friendly eye contact but never have spoken to each other before. I just find it so funny that I always see this person there and sometimes we even park our cars next to each other unintentionally. This person is intriguing. Also, it sounds strange but I was able to find this person on social media. I found out we are actually the same age from their public social media posts. This person seems nice and seems like someone I would get along well with, so I kinda want to be their friend. I have a pretty small circle so it would be nice to make a new friend with someone local who has common interests. I may just be too overly hopeful as I know many people nowadays just like keeping to themselves and doing their own thing, but I thought I should atleast try to talk to this person. I usually have no interest in getting to know someone new especially a stranger, but this situation is oddly different as we always seem to be at the same place at the same time. I also feel in the sence that we both notice each other's presence even from the distance. Should I try to strike up a conversation with this person? If so how should I approach it without it being awkward? What should I say? Or should I just forget about talking to this person and let it go as it may be way too weird?
Well, it's possible that there's a reason why the two of you end up coming together over and over at these particular points in the space/time field.
I've made lots of casual friends over the years by being friendly with people I see regularly on walks and at the gym. Some have never progressed farther than a few minutes of chitchat when we see each other while others have become lasting friends. It's not weird as long as you don't make it weird.
stalking them on social media sounds like a red flag
if you see each other chat briefly when you happen to meet, and see how they respond.
if i knew someone was stalking me on social media i wouldn't give them the time a day, and would stay waaaaaaaaaaaay far away from them
also through casual comments you can see if they respond positively and open up, or if they back off and give you the cold shoulder. at work there was someone i kept running into in the parking lot and we would laugh and comment on that. it never went farther than that. another person at work i kept seeing in the parking lot and attempted to chat a bit and they backed way off and no longer wave or make eye contact. i'm fine with that, they were sending a clear signal, because they could sensed my intent and were not interested.
so make a generic comment and see if they back off or seem open to chatting a bit. and know that it is creepy to stalk people on social media
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