Have A Good Life

My go to line when ending a conversation with a stranger is “have a good life”. Because, realistically, we won’t ever see each other again and I hope that they have a good life. Simple as that.

Traveling on the road with a partner is a funny thing. You always have someone to talk to yet your socializing is less common. Without staying in one place for too long, it is highly unlikely that you will meet an individual who will be a significant figure in your life for more than that day. So your socializing becomes random conversations with strangers.

Today, we talked to a local man who had just come in from surfing in what he explained as “a one out of five times a year swell”. He was chipper and eager for conversation mainly containing waves and how the New Zealand summer isn’t so summer-y this year. After sitting on the sidelines of this conversation while doing dishes, he said goodbye and I immediately regretted what I hadn’t said or asked. I wanted to know who he was, a bit deeper than that surface level small talk. I wondered why he would approach us at our van knowing this conversation wouldn’t go much longer than a few minutes. I had so many questions for the first stranger I had talked to in days and I let my curiosity stay inside as I heard his car pull away. Regardless, I was pleased with our brief interaction and grateful that he had approached us. 

About a half hour later while finding my place at a bench to watch the surf and knit my hat, he came around the corner. “Hello again!” I said, doing the best to contain my excitement. He approached me with the same smile I had admired from before. We continued our conversation about waves and the best places to view them. Then I took my opportunity to learn a little bit more about him by asking what he does around here and for how long. A retired University Professor and now “luxury airbnb owner”, he told me as he joked about really just being unemployed these days. I gave into the joke and with that he gave me a pat on the shoulder and said to enjoy the day. There were many more questions I could’ve asked, but I was satisfied with the interaction. And with a fulfilling ending to our conversation, I told him to have a good life. He chuckled and walked away and I was content with the fact that was the last time I’ll ever see him. 

Although there is no fulfilment in having long-term relationships on the road, these brief interactions make up for it. I learn something new, gain a new perspective, hear a new story, or share a new joke and it is eternally fulfilling. And I’m certain that for the rest of my life a brief conversation with a stranger I’ll never see again will be a common occurrence and priority. Perhaps you should talk to more strangers too!

Have a good life,

Maddy 

January 28, 2026 - Written by Maddy Dunn