Children are taught by their parents to never talk to strangers. But as adults, it is tremendously important that we converse with people, especially strangers. It is through such conversations that we can learn about other cultures, other viewpoints, other solutions.

An old Chinese proverb says: A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study. Yet too often we don’t take the time for conversation. We are too busy, too absorbed in our own thoughts, or too reluctant to engage in conversation with people we don’t know for fear they may disagree with us.

In her book “There Is No Long Distance Now,” award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye offers a touchingly poignant short story, a conversation between a taxi driver and his passenger, a young girl. Without knowing that the girl is the daughter of a man from the Middle East, the cab driver gives voice to his strong prejudice toward Muslims. The girl replies, “My dad is an Arab from a Muslim family, and he’s adorable. He would feed you, even if you didn’t like him.” Overwhelmed with embarrassment, the driver apologizes. They talk more. Arriving at her hotel, the girl pays her fare and even tips him. The driver, still feeling regret over his earlier comment, hesitates and then says “My wife … is from Mexico,” thus revealing what he does understand about prejudice.

How does prejudice begin? What is it based on? Ignorance, fear mistrust and misunderstanding. Conversation offers a way to turn this around — to build trust and to lessen fear and ignorance.

Researcher Sherry Turkle points out that “it is in conversation that we learn why good disagreement is central to progress. But when we avoid even starting it,” she says, “we miss out on seeing a different side to things. Conversation is a reliable tool for thinking, alone and together. The back and forth, listening, building on what someone else said, and getting feedback are all built into conversation to help us accelerate learning.”

The goal of conversation is understanding between participants. Are we talking with each other or at each other? Nineteenth century philosopher John Stuart Mill affirmed that, “By opening ourselves up to discussion of new ideas and opinions — even ones that we disagree with — we get a deeper understanding of topics and issues that we might otherwise take for granted.”

Information shared through conversation can change our points of view, or validate our original stance. We can’t be right about everything all the time. Conversation reminds us of this.

Psychologist Yalda T. Uhls says “Conversation is the most human and humanizing thing that we do. It means increased empathy, which is the root of the characteristically human qualities.”

And that’s how I see it.

Larry P. Johnson is an author and motivational speaker. Contact him at larjo1@prodigy.net or via his website at www.mexicobytouch.com