Talking with the strangers we encounter in everyday life requires overcoming shyness, being open to getting to know someone, and allowing them to know something about you. This experience can occur anywhere and at any time. This course is designed to help us open ourselves to others by just being friendly!

The professor Leonardo Buscaglia (aka Dr. Love) taught at USC before his death in 1998. He told a story about encountering a student one early morning on the campus and said: “Good morning.” The student answered: “Do I know you?” And Leo said: “No, but wouldn’t it be nice!” We will listen to YouTube talks by Leo and read his book, Love, What Life is All About. We will also include the wisdom and teachings of two Irish poets/philosophers: David Whyte and John O’Donohue.

Format: Participants will be encouraged, but not required, to talk with strangers, and then to discuss the emotions of the encounter and what they learned and shared about themselves. Class members should endeavor to talk with people of various socio-economic and ethnic groups. Each week two class members will discuss their experience of a meeting with a person they did not know. This is a Zoom video conferencing class.

Resources/Expenses: Buscaglia’s book, Love, What Life is All About is available on Amazon used for $1.63 and up. Coordinators will provide additional resources to enrich the class presentations and discussions.