Creating delightful out-of-context surprises

The guy-from-the-train phenomenon and creating delightful out-of-context surprises.

"A few tips for out-of-context user delights:

1. Take an attribute that's normal and expected in one domain, and use it where it would not be expected.
2. Take an attribute in your domain that's expected, and do the opposite.
3. Bonus points if that opposite thing is also something that lets users off the hook (i.e. reduces guilt).
4. Do something completely out of character.
5. Combine two things that nobody would think to combine."

Full article: Creating Passionate Users blog.