Surprise over Lunch – I dined & conversed with a stranger!

I'm sharing this Facebook post I shared last June 5, 2012.

Inspired by 2 of Rachel Ong’s 10 Things We Can Give Without Costing Us Money, I overcame my awkwardness & indifference for the first time and initiated a conversation with a stranger.

1.     A great smile (It makes a person feel great and special)

I was dining at my favourite café when a lady approached and asked if a seat in my table is taken. I offered a sweet smile and said no and she can join my table.

2.     A perfect greeting (Reaching out to strangers like you know them; showing that you are genuinely interested in them; perfect means whole, mature & complete)

Sharing a table to strangers, no big deal, we do it all the time. But after 8 awkward and silent minutes of eating and 3 foiled attempts of eye contact & initiation of conversation, I finally blurted, “So, how is your day goin’ so far?” The lady was surprised (most people here are not friendly to strangers) and it took her some 5 seconds to smile back and said “Oh, it’s fine.” Her next statement, “You are not Singaporean, are you Filipino?” I almost resented that thinking my accent must have been obvious so I retorted, “Yes I am. How did you know?” “I normally don’t expect a hello from strangers and my daughter is married to a Filipino so I recognized your accent.” (damn the accent) Then she started asking me how long I have been in her country (yup, she’s a local), where I was working, how I find living here (it seemed like an interview). She offered tips in saving money by suggesting where to eat for lunch & better yet, eat home-prepared sandwiches (healthier, cleaner & cheaper!) She also shared her experiences in the Philippines, how modern and expensive it is in Makati and how it was in Baguio 35 years ago! She went on asking where in Manila is the best area to buy a property and live in. Turns out, she’s considering retiring in Manila because the costs here are just ridiculous.

We exchanged a lot of information and sentiments over 40 minutes but more than the content and length, what stands out to me is the rawness & the genuineness of the conversation – it wasn’t planned and prepared so there were no expectations & pretensions. We shared parts of our lives to each other and we shared 40 minutes together. From the smile she gave me when she left me at the café, I’d say I made her happy. And it didn’t cost me a thing – just a great smile and a perfect greeting :-)

Where I gave my great smile and perfect greeting - 2 things I gave that didn't cost me anything.

If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. (New Living Translation 2007) It's default to be kind and accommodating to friends and family. More challenging greeting and being kind to strangers, people you don't like and enemies.