Yes! I love meeting new people, and the vast majority of people I've met are kind, thoughtful people once you get them talking. Americans live very isolated lives, it's very refreshing to tear down those barriers and make conversation.

Just last night I was attempting to fill up on gas, but realized I left my debit card at home. It was 11:45 PM, the attendant had gone home, and I didn't have enough gas to reliably go find another station where I could pay cash. Just then, another car pulled up. It was pretty awkward, but from across the awning, I asked the guy if I could just give him a $20 and he could pump it for me with his card (weird situation, I know, and there's probably some legal code or popular scam that should have scared this guy away), but he ended up taking me up on it. It was a well lit area just off of a major road that runs through a nice neighborhood, and there were cameras pointed at us, so I wasn't really too afraid. We only talked for a minute or two as the gas pumped, but I chatted and made some small talk with the guy. He wasn't super interesting, and neither was I, but the gesture was really nice. Just like I said, most people are kind, and want to be helpful. "Stranger Danger" mentality is good for children, but doesn't need to persist into adulthood. Don't put yourself into unsafe situations, but don't be afraid of reaching out to strangers for help, or even for conversation in a public space. I dunno, maybe one day I'll regret it, but I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.