Chat etiquette: how to be a good stranger

Start with a simple, friendly opener

A short, warm opener works far better than a long message or a copy-pasted paragraph. Something like "Hi, how is your day going?" or "What are you up to this evening?" gives the other person an easy way to reply. Questions that are open but not personal tend to start the best conversations.

Avoid opening with a demand, a joke at someone else's expense, or a message that only says "hi" and nothing more. Even a few words about what you are doing or thinking can make a chat feel like a real exchange.

Respect boundaries

If someone does not want to talk about a topic, change the subject without fuss. Do not ask personal questions such as their age, location, school, or workplace. If someone gives a short answer, accept it and move on. Pushing for more information is the quickest way to end a friendly chat.

Be aware that not everyone wants to be friends, and that is fine. A short conversation that ends politely is a success, not a failure.

Keep it fun, light, and kind

Jokes, shared interests, favourite music, films, games, travel, and food are all good topics. Ask about someone's hobbies and listen to the answer. People enjoy being asked about things they care about, and that is the heart of a good stranger chat.

Avoid insults, shouting in capital letters, comments about someone's appearance or body, and anything that sexualises a conversation without clear, mutual interest. Disagreeing is fine, but keep it calm. You do not have to agree with everyone, and you do not have to win every argument.

Use the chat tools responsibly

Do not send long walls of text or repeated messages. Typing a message is a small act of effort, so give the other person time to reply before sending another one. Spamming the chat, sending links to unknown sites, or sending the same message over and over breaks our rules and can get you restricted.

Use the name field if you want to be recognised by a name you choose, and never use a name that impersonates someone else, a celebrity, or a member of staff.

Know when and how to say goodbye

A simple "Nice talking to you, take care" before pressing Next is polite and kind. You do not owe anyone a long goodbye. If the other person is being unkind, you can leave immediately without explaining yourself.

If someone breaks the rules, for example by harassing you or sharing content that is not allowed, press Report. Reports help keep the site pleasant for everyone, and they are reviewed carefully.

Remember the person behind the screen

Behind every chat is a real person who may be having a good day or a difficult one. A little patience, humour, and respect can make a big difference. If you would not say something face to face, do not type it into a chat window.