The urge to compliment strangers is pretty universal. You see someone on the train with a band T-shirt you love: great choice! You clock that a dress has pockets: good find! There’s a particular joy in passing on these compliments; the delight on the stranger’s face is a gift you both receive. But there is a line to be aware of—that which separates kindness from intrusion. Most of us err on the side of caution, for fear of being woefully inappropriate. A colleague once confessed to me: “Whenever I’m jogging and I see anyone jogging toward me I always want to high-five them and say they’re doing really well, but I never do.” She was afraid of being ignored, but she was also conscious of boundaries. This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Six Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 40 Fellow Feeling The pleasure of a stranger’s touch. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Emily Gernild The Danish painter breathing new life into an old medium. Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables. Arts & Culture Design Issue 51 How to Make a Chair And do it on a tiny budget. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Odd Jobs The comedian with strong opinions about your home décor. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Tall Order The hidden depths of height.
Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables.
