1. A ribbon means: you can say hello to me
That’s all. It is not consent to flirting, touching, filming or continuing the conversation.
for all participants November 21
Hello rules
What the ribbon means, how to say hello and how to say no, what to do if something goes wrong, and how we choose spots.
all day, ideally in daylightbusy squares, parks, waterfrontsspots are 18+
WCD is today
If you’re wearing a ribbon, people can say hello to you. If something happens, call 911, 112 or 999 first, then write to us.
WCD on November 21 is over
Was something wrong at a spot? Tell us. You can do it anonymously.
in brief
Ribbon = OK to say hello. Any color.
Ribbon off = not now.
“No, thanks” is a complete answer.
Public places, daylight, and tell someone close to you where you’re going.
13 rules
How to say hello so it’s easy for everyone
2. Every color means the same thing
The color is a hello style, not a level of openness. A red ribbon isn’t “stop” and a yellow one isn’t “busy.” Color pairs (red with yellow, blue with green) are only a hint about who’s easier to start a conversation with. You can say hello to anyone wearing a ribbon.
3. Ribbon off = not now
Need a break? Put your ribbon in your pocket and put it back on later. We don’t bring “hello” games to people who aren’t wearing a ribbon.
4. “No, thanks” is a complete answer
Don’t push and don’t ask for reasons. A short answer and eyes that look away are a “no” too: say “have a nice day” and step away.
5. Ask first
Before a hug, a photo, a story post or asking for contact details. Wide shots of a crowd are fine; a close-up of a specific person only after they say “yes.”
6. Public places and daylight
WCD spots are busy squares, parks and waterfronts. Come whenever works for you, ideally during the day: each spot card shows how late it stays light. Decided to spend the day together? Stay around other people: don’t go home with someone you just met or get into their car.
7. Tell someone close to you where you’re going
Agree on when you’ll check in with them. Get there on your own and know in advance how you’ll get home.
8. A sober hello
WCD isn’t a party: the organizers don’t serve drinks, and nobody drinks at the spots. If you move on to a bar, keep your drink with you.
9. A first name is enough
Your address, workplace, phone number and social media only when you decide you want to stay in touch.
10. Trust your gut
If something feels off, leave without explaining.
11. See that someone is uncomfortable? Help without heroics
Create a distraction (“Excuse me, where’s the subway?”), call over people nearby or a beacon (a WCD volunteer), then ask: “Are you OK?”
12. If something happens, emergency services come first
911 in the US and Canada, 112 in the EU, 999 in the UK. Then write to us via — you can do it anonymously.
13. Spots are 18+
The test is open to any age. If someone breaks the rules, we’ll remove them from WCD and delete their spot and data.
At the spot itselfNo speakers, tables or tentsDon’t tie ribbons to trees or polesFlyers only hand to handDon’t block the wayGetting crowded? Walk onTake your trash when you leave
emergency
If something happens
If there’s a danger to life or health, call emergency services first. Then write to us: we’ll look into it, remove the spot or the person breaking the rules, and reply if you leave a contact.
911US and Canadapolice, ambulance, fire112European Unionone number in every EU country999UKpolice, ambulance, fire
Anonymous by default. Contact details are optional.
place moderation
How we check places
Every spot on the map goes through the same rules: both places picked by the organizers and places suggested by participants.
Automatic check
The place is public and free, not a business, not a residence, not near a school, and at least 300 m from another spot.
A moderator reviews the submission
Checks the place against the map and removes spam, ads and other people’s personal data. AI doesn’t check submissions.
A moderator publishes
Only a person on the WCD team can put a spot on the map, usually within a day. While the place is under review, only you can see it.
Suitable
- A square, plaza, park, waterfront or pedestrian street
- A campus, but only the part open to everyone: a walkway, a lawn, a quad
- People already walk there on Saturday afternoons
- Open and free to everyone
- Well lit and visible from the street
- Room to stand without blocking the way
Know a place like that in your city? Suggest it on the map.
Suggest a placeNot suitable
- Bars and clubs
- Cafés, malls, building lobbies and closed campuses, unless the owner agrees in writing
- Places of worship, memorials, cemeteries, government buildings
- Schools, kindergartens, playgrounds and places near them
- Residential courtyards and transit platforms
- Within 300 m of another spot: we’ll suggest choosing that one
Every rejection comes with a reason
Not just “rejected,” but what exactly is wrong and what would work instead.
Human review on request
Think the rules got it wrong? Tap “Ask a person to check”. A moderator will look at your submission, not a machine. Our reply always says whether automation was involved in the decision.
You can report any spot
Every spot card has a “Report a problem” button. A person reads every report: we’ll remove the spot, move it or keep it, and explain why if you leave a contact.
questions
Frequently asked questions
When and where
What time should I come?
Whenever works for you: all day, ideally while it’s light. There’s no set time: on November 21, you go about a normal day with a ribbon and stop by a spot when it’s on your way. Your spot’s card shows how late it stays light: in Stockholm it gets dark at 3:11 pm, in New York at 4:33 pm, in Barcelona at 5:27 pm.
Do I have to go to a spot?
No. The ribbon works all day and anywhere: in a café, on the subway, in line, on a walk. A spot is a busy place where most ribbons will be: stop by if you want to say hello to as many people as possible.
Can I come with a friend, or without a ribbon?
Yes, it’s even easier with a friend. You can come without a ribbon and look around, but “hello” games are only for people wearing a ribbon.
How old do I need to be?
18 for spots. The test is open to any age.
Is the spot wheelchair accessible?
Look for the “step-free” label on the spot card. If it isn’t there, write to us at info@worldconnectionday.com and we’ll check.
Safety and boundaries
Is it safe?
We can’t guarantee it: we don’t screen participants and can’t be responsible for how strangers behave. Spots are only open public places, it’s best to come during the day, and every spot card has a “Report a problem” button. So please read the hello rules. They’re short.
Is my color about flirting or relationships?
No. The color is your hello style. Any ribbon only means “you can say hello to me.”
Someone came up to me, and I don’t want to talk
Say “no, thanks.” You don’t need to explain. Want a break? Take your ribbon off. If the person insists, move toward other people or a beacon and tap “Report a problem”.
I’m an introvert, autistic, or find crowds hard
You can just wave or show a question card. Take your ribbon off when you need a break. Choose a smaller spot, or skip the spots altogether: the ribbon works on an ordinary walk too.
Can I film or take photos?
Wide shots of a crowd, yes. A specific person, only with their consent.
Is this for LGBTQ+ people too?
Yes, everyone is welcome. We don’t ask about orientation or gender. There are no spots in countries where same-sex relationships are illegal. Where public demonstrations are restricted, as in Istanbul, spots are just busy places for a walk: don’t get together in a group.
Something happened. Where do I write?
If there’s a threat, call 911, 112 or 999 first. Then use “Report a problem” on the spot card or .
Places, data, organizers
I want to suggest a place. What works?
Open and free to everyone, well lit, visible from the street: a square, a plaza, a waterfront. Not a bar, private property, a memorial or a place near a school. A person checks it, usually within a day. If the rules turn it down, you’ll see why and can ask for a human review. More in “How we check places”.
Do I need a permit?
Not to walk around with a ribbon. WCD isn’t an event: we don’t gather crowds, set a time, or put up sound systems or tables. Spots picked by the organizers are busy public places where people walk anyway. Suggesting your own place? Stick to the same: no speakers or tables, no set time.
Why tap “I’m here”?
So we can count how many people visited the spot during the day. The button appears on November 21 in “My WCD” and works at any time of day if you’re within 300 m of the spot. We only get a “+1” for the spot, not your location or email.
What do you store, and why my email?
Your email and the spot you chose, so we can send four emails: one now with the place, one the day before at 6 pm, one on the morning of November 21, and one the day after with a single question. News about future WCDs only if you check a separate box. Nearby spots are calculated on your phone; your location never reaches us. You can delete your data in one click from any email.
Who organizes this?
World Connection Day is run by Fleamily Inc., the team behind the Fledge app. Taking part is free, and you don’t need the app.
Two steps and you’re in
Find your ribbon color and choose a spot in your city.
You’re taking part
Your pass and your spot are in “My WCD”.
The next WCD is February 13
The hello rules are the same.