It happened at the laundromat on a quiet Saturday afternoon.
I was waiting for my dryer to finish, scrolling aimlessly on my phone, when an older man sitting next to me struck up a conversation. He nodded toward my laundry basket and joked, “Let me guess – everything in there is either black, white, or grey”.
I chuckled, glancing at my predictable wardrobe. “You’re not wrong,” I said, setting my phone down.
He introduced himself as Pakcik Razman, acknowledging our age difference, and over the next 20 minutes, he told me the most incredible story.
A retired schoolteacher, Pakcik Razman had spent the better part of his career teaching in rural areas across Malaysia, with his last posting at an Orang Asli school in Pahang. He described the challenges of educating children who sometimes had to walk barefoot for miles to get to school, the joy of seeing their eyes light up when they grasped a new concept, and the satisfaction of knowing he’d made a difference in places most people wouldn’t think to pay a visit.
I listened, fascinated, as he recounted how one of his former students – someone from a remote village – went on to become a lecturer at a local university. “The first in his kampung to have a PhD!” Pakcik Razman recounted with a quiet smile.
The pride in his voice was unmistakable as he explained how it all started. “We organised a school trip once,” he said, leaning forward as if to share a treasured secret. “The first time the kids ever set foot in Kuala Lumpur. I made sure we visited Universiti Malaya. I wanted them to see it, to know it wasn’t just a place in textbooks – it was real and, most importantly, it was possible.”
For that student, the visit left a profound impact. It was more than just an excursion; it was a glimpse into a world of possibilities. “He told me years later that standing in the lecture hall, looking at the rows of seats, he decided right then and there he wanted to come back someday – not just as a student, but as a lecturer,” Pakcik Razman said, his eyes glinting with pride.
“And all it took was someone to believe in him,” he added, his voice brimming with quiet triumph. It was a simple school visit, just a few days’ effort, but it planted a seed that grew into something truly extraordinary.
As if on cue, the dryer timer counted down to zero, and just like that, the conversation was over. We exchanged goodbyes, and I watched him leave, feeling like I had just wandered into a world I never would have known existed – one filled with stories of resilience, connection, and the impact one person can make.
That conversation reminded me of something Dale Carnegie once wrote: “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you”.
Pakcik Razman wasn’t trying to impress me; he was simply sharing a part of his world. And because I chose to listen, I walked away with something far more valuable than folded laundry – I walked away inspired.
In today’s world, where we’re more likely to stare at our phones than make eye contact with a stranger, these small moments of human connection can feel profound, revolutionary, even. We’re conditioned to keep to ourselves, to see strangers as potential risks rather than potential teachers.
But you see, every person you pass on the street, sit next to on the LRT, or wait alongside at the laundromat, has a story. All it takes to uncover it is a little curiosity and a dose of courage.
Dale Carnegie believed that genuine interest in others was the key to unlocking meaningful relationships. In his timeless 1936 classic, ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’, he emphasised the importance of being present, asking questions, and truly listening. These principles aren’t just for networking or business; they’re tools for life.
Talking to strangers isn’t always easy, especially for those of us who lean toward introversion. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be an extrovert to connect with others. You don’t have to get an ‘E’ (implying extroversion) in your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test to start having a conversation with a stranger.
Start simply and small – a smile, a kind remark, or even a simple “Hello” or “Good morning/afternoon/evening.” You’d be surprised at how often people are willing, even eager, to engage.
Of course, not every interaction will lead to a profound story or life-changing insight. Sometimes, it’ll just be polite small talk. But every so often, you’ll meet someone like Pakcik Razman – someone who opens a door to a new perspective, a hidden world, or a story that stays with you long after the conversation ends.
So, here’s my challenge to you: The next time you find yourself in a waiting room, in line at the coffee shop, or even at a laundromat, resist the urge to retreat into your screen. Instead, look around. Strike up a conversation. Be brave enough to wander into the unknown.
Because you never know who you might meet – or what you might learn. Sometimes, all it takes to make the world a little brighter is a little curiosity and a willingness to listen.
Just be that bit braver, shall we?
Dr Nahrizul Adib Kadri is a professor of biomedical engineering and the Principal of Ibnu Sina Residential College, Universiti Malaya.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
