We’ve brought you Britain Talks and Europe Talks. Now here’s our most ambitious project yet: The World Talks.
Over the past few weeks, 3,084 readers from all over the world have signed up for a chat with someone from a different country.
Working with our German counterparts My Country Talks and Zeit Online, we were able to find chatting partners for all those who registered, making 1,542 matches involving 116 countries. Here are six people from around the world who met online with someone from the UK to share views, have a laugh and put the world to rights.
'It's been a lovely experience'
There are plenty of laughs as Lancashire gran Theresa Lawrenson chats on Zoom to Pamela Fabre, an engineer from Sao Paulo in Brazil.
“Hello,” beams 71-year-old Theresa. “It’s so nice to meet you – you’re beautiful.”
They swap stories about work, travel and their shared love of yoga.
Pamela, 39, who is married to a fellow engineer and who is talking from her office, says: “It can be difficult. The field I am in, there are not so many women.”
Theresa, from Preston, says: “You have to prove yourself and work hard. Make sure you have the work/life balance. You have to remember to take care of yourself. Yoga is good for that.” Pamela replies: “You are very wise.” Theresa laughs: “I’m so glad you can understand my accent. Your English is fantastic. I can speak the language of rubbish.”
Pamela says: “There is a lot of bad things happening in the world. It’s good to talk about normal things.” Theresa replies: “It costs nothing to listen and to be kind.”
When the chat ends the women make arrangements to stay in touch. Theresa says: “This has been a lovely experience.”
'The UK & US are polarised'
Saima Duhare, 46, from London, is the founder of It’s Halal, a subscription recipe box, and matched with Hank Zucker, 73, a pensioner from San Francisco.
The pair bonded over pizza, medieval history and polarisation.
They discover Saima has visited New York twice while Hank has visited London six times.
“The best thing in New York was the pizzas, huge slices”, says Saima. Hank approves and shares his own travel tales. “During one visit to London, I had a tour of the House of Lords by a Lord.”
Hank says: “I can see polarisation here and in the UK. If I was a UK citizen, I would have voted against Brexit.”
Salma of Cricklewood, adds: “Humans are not meant to be polarised. We have so much common ground.”
They plan a second chat. Saima says: “It is so interesting when people from different parts of the world have so much in common.”
'Great.. I'm Mouth Almighty'
Martin Dumbrell, 65, is a learning mentor living in Sydney, Australia. He met up with Carolyn Mellor, 58, an avid sci-fi fan from Bournemouth, Dorset.
They’re soon bonding over a world way beyond this one, discovering a shared interest in Star Trek.
“I’m a sci-fi cosplayer,” Carolyn says, explaining her love of dressing up as sci-fi characters.
“Aha,” says Martin, “I’ve not seen the latest series, I don’t speak Klingon.” The talk moves through Martin’s trips to the UK and Carolyn’s passion for history and books. It’s a lively conversation with lots of easy laughter. When Carolyn, of Bournemouth, Dorset, confides she’s a naturist, Martin chortles: “I’d expect nothing less. You’re one of the most interesting people I’ve met.”
Carolyn, who lives with several health conditions, confides: “I can go months without seeing anyone. This is great, because I love to talk.
“I’m known as Mouth Almighty.”
By the end of the conversation the pair are planning a trip to Stonehenge, Wilts, when Martin and his wife visit the UK.
'Younger folk are the future'
Steve Monaghan, 64, from West Yorkshire, was matched with student Johannes Köhler, 26, in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Dad-of-one Steve has had Long Covid and took early retirement.
Johannes is studying education, migration and multilingualism – one of the reasons he has signed up.
“I’m interested in exploring new points of view,” he says.
Steve, of Bramley, Leeds, starts with a “Guten tag” but says even though he’s visited Germany more than 10 times, he isn’t confident with the language. The pair have just come back from trips away; Steven visiting a friend’s villa in Spain and Johannes hiking in Austria.
Next topics: climate change and the economy. “Younger people are the future”, says Johannes.
“Without a doubt,” Steve replies. “But one thing I don’t get about young people…they are all worried about the planet, but they’ll get a van sputtering diesel out to get things delivered to their house.”
It’s a hit, and the pair arrange another call.
'A wanderful ice breaker'
JAMES Donnelly, 42, from Eyres Monsell, Leicester, joined Austrian Julia Tollo, 35, for a chat online – with their mutual love of Harry Potter sparking a lively chat.
“I spotted the books on Julia’s shelf straight away,” James says. “It’s universal isn’t it, Harry Potter? It was a bit of an ice breaker.” “I am collecting these editions,” Julia explains.
James shares the story of his ill-fated school exchange to her home city, Vienna. “I was 12, “ he smiles. “One of my clearest memories is throwing up after a go on the spinning teacups.”
For both, talking is important – but not straightforward. James, who has anxiety and a physical disability explains: “We both have a fear of crowds so wouldn’t have met up unless it was online.”
Julia, who works for an oil firm, says: “I’m an introvert. I love talking to people but wouldn’t meet a stranger. We’re definitely going to stay in touch.”
'Let's keep the contact going'
Pooja Chowdhary, 37, a communications professional living with her husband in Assam, India, met pensioner Marjie Clarke, 64, who lives on the Isle of Wight.
“I’ve been excited to meet you,” says Pooja grinning.
“Me too,” says Marjie, adding: “Bear with me, I keep having ‘senior moments’.”
Pooja asks: “Is everything very expensive in England? I’ve heard about the inflation.” Marjie tells her: “People can barely make ends meet. I can’t keep up with the modern world but love where I live. You can be having the worst day and then sit on the beach and everything changes.”
They move on to the climate crisis. Marjie says: “We were the generation of recycling, the younger generation is the throwaway generation.” Pooja disagrees. “Because the younger generation are involved, we have hope.”
As the clock runs down the two women swap contact details. Pooja says: “Let’s carry on the correspondence.”
Marjie replies: “Yes, I still have questions!”
