Victoria, B.C. What started as a simple personal project has grown into a heartwarming social experiment: handwritten notes reading “Go Away, Weirdo?” are turning into a real invitation for strangers to connect.
The initiative was sparked by Carrie Parsons, founder of the nonprofit West Coast Speaks. Long before meetups, Parsons left notes around Victoria, offering to buy a stranger a coffee in exchange for an hour of conversation. As she continued, she realized: this was filling a real need.
How It Works
- Parsons’ “Meet a Stranger” program now holds monthly events where people can safely sit down and chat.
- Seven local cafés have joined in, putting up “Open to Conversation” signs on tables to signal they welcome spontaneous chats. Bakers and baristas at places like Peckish Cafe and Breakwater Bistro are part of the effort.
- Parsons says a large majority of participants describe themselves as introverts but they all share the same feeling: “I want to connect, but I don’t know how.”
Why It Matters
In an era dominated by screens, many people still feel socially disconnected. Parsons’ initiative shows how small gestures like a note or a sign can gently lower the barrier to conversation.
By turning public spaces and everyday coffee shops into low-pressure meeting points, the program makes human connection more accessible. For many participants, it’s a chance to slow down, be seen, and actually talk not just scroll.
Looking Forward
Parsons hopes the program will grow. As more people carry the idea, she envisions even more cafés and gathering spots joining in. For now, the notes are doing what they were meant to: inviting people in, audaciously, with a little humor.
“They literally all said the same thing,” she told Penticton Western News. “I want permission or an invitation to connect.”
“That’s exactly what we’re giving them,” Parsons added.
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