bvlenci

These ideas will work in Italy. I haven't enough experience to vouch for them in other countries.

Go to a big-city post office and take a number. You'll be there for an hour, and will hear all sorts of monologues. If you respond to any of these, you'll soon be deep in conversation about the government, public employees, taxes, and the decline of manners.

Go to the hospital emergency room and tell them you think you've sprained your wrist. They'll give you a code green and you'll be there for 24 hours, by which time everyone there will be your best friends. At 4 AM you can slip out unnoticed.

I liked Sparkchaser's AA meeting idea. If you look at the notices on any town's notice board, you'll see information about all sorts of other meetings: Tai Chi, homeopathic medicine, local authors presenting their new books, Nordic walking lessons, discussions of the advisability of closing the municipal dump....

sparkchaser

Those are all solid suggestions.

bvlenci

I have to credit you for the inspiration, Spark.

colduphere

Stick a nail into your bicycle tire, sit down beside the bike and cry. People are amazing about helping people with flat tires.

Fra_Diavolo

Get hold of a puppy and take it for a walk in a park. This will work anywhere. But then you're stuck with a puppy.

bvlenci

Some places have rent-a-puppy services.

https://bonjouridee.com/louer-un-chi...elques-heures/