A visitor from Norway says he didn't just come to Calgary to see the sights, but to have a nice chat with the locals.

Phil Durnford has set up a makeshift booth during lunch every day for the past three weeks.

He sits on a bench south of Prince's Island holding a sign reading, "Let's chat."

And people are accepting his invitation. Durnford, who is staying in Calgary until June, told CBC News that he has three or four great conversations every day.

"We have interesting conversations, which I really hope will transfer into a better experience of the day for both of us," he said. "We talk about anything at all."

He said a common thread of the daily chats is a sense of disconnect with the city and the world. But, he added, chatting with others can help fight those frustrated feelings.

Durnford said his interest isn't a commercial ploy; he really just wants people to be more joyful.

"I'm not affiliated with any group, and I'm not selling anything and there's no branding going on," he said.

"I basically tell people I'm conducting research for myself, unaffiliated, into what happens when an invitation is put out into a public space for a connection to happen."

Durnford said he's never been bothered by police or bylaw officers because people don't need a licence just to chat.