Striking up a conversation with a stranger can be hard. Asking for directions can still give anyone a bad case of heebie-jeebies. Even smiling at someone you don’t know is as hard as it gets. You’ll ruminate over a number of things, like sweating, appearing creepy, or, worse, being ignored.
However, with the rise of internet use, interacting with others has become easier and more accessible. People play online games with fellow gamers, discuss in online forums with users, and even talk on online dating sites with strangers. Simply, the internet has revolutionized a lot of things, and social interaction is just one of them.
And on the internet, people can now converse with strangers by using random video chat platforms that make use of video conferencing as a primary mode of communication. These platforms randomly pair users with each other, thereby, letting them engage with someone.
To further elaborate, here are four ways random video chat can improve your people skills.
- You Have More Control
The thing about social interaction is that it’s unpredictable. One minute you’re both talking about cats, only to find yourselves discussing your favorite microwave setting the next. While this spontaneity is characteristic of any organic and natural conversation, people who struggle with their social skills often find it daunting, if not tiresome.
With random video chat platforms, you have more control over the topics that you prefer to talk about. The same goes with the other user, which means both of you have the option to steer the conversation towards topics that you’re most comfortable with.
One of the pressing challenges of interacting with strangers in the real world is that it’s a hit-or-miss situation. Meaning, striking up a conversation with anyone is not the hardest thing to do. It’s holding up the discussion about something that you don’t like and not having the willpower to tell them off for fear of being impolite.
Setting boundaries is quite important, whether it’s in a physical or a virtual setting. Especially when interacting with strangers where safety and privacy are the topmost concerns. Also, setting boundaries can help the conversation become more relevant to both parties, which increases the chances of getting something good out of it.
- You Exercise Your Consent
Consent serves as the universal code of respect in all situations. It also serves as a reminder that assumptions aren’t supposed to be made and that people are entitled to have a say on things that involve them. People who violate others’ consent are disrespectful and potentially harmful.
In the context of social interaction, consent must always be given and acknowledged at all times. Fortunately, one of the key concepts of random video chat platforms is emphasizing consent. Setting boundaries is one thing, but granting consent is another, most especially with people who use them for online dating.
This means that users on the platform not only have the option to select the topics they prefer, but they’re also given the green light in diving into each of those topics. You want to talk about cats but don’t feel like talking about them now? Sure, you can politely tell the other person, or you can simply get off the chat room.
It’s typical for people to take consent for granted and downplay it, but that doesn’t make it any less important.
- You Become More Open
Since random video chatting is conducted digitally, people from across the globe have access to it. So, you get the chance of conversing with someone from a different country and learning about their culture, language, traditions, and a lot more. There’s no need to fly abroad to get firsthand narrative from a local or read articles that cover cultures that you’re interested in.
Moreover, by talking to strangers, you get to broaden your perspective on things. Perspective is usually culturally biased and is dependent on your upbringing, so getting to hear about how other people view things bring you closer to them and vice versa.
- You Can Become More Of Yourself
If you’re using or planning to use random video chat platforms, chances are you’re socially inept, you want a breath of fresh air, you’re curious, or perhaps a mix of these three. But regardless of your reason, you can be who you truly are on those platforms.
You’d often hear other people say that opening up about your problems with friends or family helps release some steam. And that your friends and family are your allies and will stay by your side no matter what. However, who you are in your circle may not exactly reflect your true self, and to appear vulnerable in front of them may be daunting or uncomfortable for you.
Which is why venting out to strangers sometimes feel more therapeutic than letting things out with people you know. Strangers normally don’t judge you and are unbiased with your situation. The advice that they give often comes from a place of actual concern instead of duty.
Bottomline
Random video chat platforms, like any other form of online communication with others, are just an alternative to real interactions. While these online services are supplemental, it doesn’t hurt to try it out, so long as you proceed with caution and responsibility.