New Friends.

Submitted by SteveH on Mon, 05/31/2010 - 9:00am

Let me introduce you to my new friends. This past week I traveled to a mid-west town to investigate and be interviewed by a school where I might finish my Doctorate. On Tuesday morning I had a few hours to kill before my meeting, so I did what any contentious American would do – I used my phone app to find a Starbucks. A funny thing happened on the way to Starbucks, the directions took me across Main Street. It dawned on me that I was in Middle America on Main Street; there must be a more unique place to burn a few hours. So I ventured down Main in search of a unique venue, which I found. In between all the boarded-up store fronts, was a cultural oasis of a coffee shop. Upon the spring-loaded screen door slamming shut behind me, I wandered through the deserted gift shop to the adorable coffee shop in the back of the telescoped 1940’s building where the barista popped up from behind the counter querying as she rose “Who’s there?” Apparently surprised to find me, she greeted me warmly and appeared friendly and open to conversation. Curious, I asked many questions about the town, shop, her and the regular clientele that frequented the joint; verbose in all areas she answered me.

Regular after regular customer came in and sat for thirty minutes or so as I engaged them in conversation. Each town’s person introduced me to another town’s person with some little fact about them that started another series of questions about them and their life.

After my meeting I returned to the shop for lunch and was introduced to the lunch crowd by the barista where I spent another couple hours getting to know a half a dozen additional folks. I listened to stories about the local plumbing trade, a brief history of the local golf pro and various recipes from the owner of the place. Everyone was so nice, and in only two meals I was befriended by a half a dozen people.

It wasn’t till the middle of the plane ride home that I realized not one of those new friends asked one question about me. Correction: in only two meals I befriend a half a dozen people; yet I remain a rank stranger to them.

Friendship is mutual and equal interest – or it’s not friendship.

SteveH's blog

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