Consequential Strangers: Turning Everyday Encounters Into Life-changing Moments (10 Edition)

Our barista, our mechanic, our coworker'"they populate our days, but we often take them for granted. Yet these are the people who bring novelty and information into our lives, allow us to exercise different parts of ourselves, and open us up to new opportunities. In their unprecedented examination of people on the periphery, psychologist Karen Fingerman, who coined the term 'consequential strangers,' collaborates with journalist Melinda Blau to expand on and make her own groundbreaking research come alive. Drawing as well from Blau"s more than two hundred interviews with specialists in psychology, sociology, marketing, and communication, the book presents compelling stories of individuals and institutions, past and present. A rich portrait of our social landscape'"on and off the Internet'"it presents the science of casual connection and chronicles the surprising impact that consequential strangers have on business, creativity, the work environment, our physical and mental health, and the strength of our communities.

Baristas, mechanics, coworkers--they populate everyone's day, but are often taken for granted. Psychologist Fingerman collaborates with journalist Blau to present the science of casual connection, and chronicles the surprising impact that consequential strangers have on business, creativity, the work environment, and the strength of communities.

"A mind-expanding and heart-opening book."--Daniel Goleman, author of Social Intelligence

'Challenges us to rethink our circle of relationships. . . . A mind-expanding and heart-opening book."Daniel Goleman, author of Social Intelligence

They punctuate our days, but we take them for granted: our barista, our car mechanic, our coworker. Yet these are the consequential strangers who bring novelty and new opportunities into our lives. In an unprecedented examination of "people who don't seem to matter," psychologist Karen L. Fingerman, who coined the term, collaborates with journalist Melinda Blau to develop an idea sparked by Fingerman and others' groundbreaking social science research. Drawing as well from Blau's wide-ranging interviews, this book presents a rich portrait of our social landscape, chronicling the surprising impact consequential strangers have on business, creativity, health, and the strength of our communities.

Melinda Blau, co-author of the best-selling Baby Whisperer series, writes extensively about relationships and trends. She lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.Karen L. Fingerman, PhD, the Berner Hanley Professor at Purdue University, lives in West Lafayette, Indiana.