Bring back connection

Care to Converse

Care to Converse hopes to start conversations. Care to Converse involves people wearing a visual symbol which shows the people around them that they are open to having a chat. As more people wear the symbol more spontaneous conversations occur. Have a chat with the person on the bus, train, in the shopping line, do you care to converse?

THE DAILY COMMUTE

A Sea of Strangers

As you commute around Sydney city do you notice the stares and a scarcity of smiles? “Care to Converse” is about creating a visual symbol to show support for casual conversation and community.

CASUAL CONVERSATIONS

Start a Conversation

We live in close accessible communities and yet we do not know the people who travel in the same space as us. “Care to Converse” is a visual way to start casual conversations.

Definition of Converse | Engage in Conversation | Care to Converse

LET’S CONVERSE

Break down barriers

Wearing the symbol will make a big difference! Simply by seeing someone else who “Cares to Converse” you already have a sense of connection even without conversation.

Care to Converse Badge with Yellow Backround

A VISUAL KINSHIP

Bring back community

This will take shape in a wearable symbol that says “Care to Converse?” Start having casual conversations without the awkwardness.

What is Care to Converse?

#Care2Converse hopes to inspire community conversations.

Taking part will mean you get to wear awesome gear stating that you “Care to Converse,” like a badge or wristband. The idea would be for everyday people to enjoy conversations with strangers (minus the awkwardness). By wearing the #Care2Converse symbol, people will know you are up for the chat.

Opportunities for conversations are everywhere, whether you are on the bus, in the queue at the grocery store or waiting for your morning coffee. Will these casual conversations brighten up your day?

This project is a way to nurture community, connection and of course conversation. On those days you don’t feel like it, you can always take off the symbol.

Tag #Care2Converse with your stories

What’s the Evidence?

There has been quite a bit of research into the benefits of social interactions, including those with strangers.

Happy Travels With Strangers

“Commuters who talked to a stranger reported having a more positive experience than those who sat in solitude” Do you Care to Converse? – NY Times (2014)

Interactions Increase Happiness

Many of us assume that our well-being depends on our closest ties, and not on the minor characters in our daily lives. Interactions with weak ties correlated at least as highly with happiness as interactions with strong ties – The University of British Columbia (2013)

Brighten Up Your Daily Commute

How do people experience the activities of their lives? Commuting is associated with fewer positive emotions than any other common daily activity – Science (2004)

The Surprising Need For Strangers

When you interact with people you don’t know who aren’t like you, you get the chance to break out of your comfort zone and change your view of reality altogether. This can spark creative ideas, give you new ideas to think about, and plenty more – Maria Bezaitis, TED Talk (2013)

Supporters | A big thank you to those that have made Care 2 Converse possible! The Awesome Foundation | The Games Den