Last week I was minding my own business whilst enjoying the heady high of the first caffeine fix of the day in Winchester Services, when I suddenly became aware that the customer to table ratio was rapidly shifting in the wrong direction. Moreover I spotted a kindly looking gentleman leaving the till, with a tall steaming glass balanced precariously on a tiny saucer, whilst anxiously scanning the room. Our eyes met (honestly, it’s not what you think) and I smiled. He moved towards my table, understandably interpreting that as an open invitation to invade my personal space. I have to confess at this point that there was a part of me that regretted the imminent loss of my privacy, but the deed was done and he looked harmless enough.
He settled down at my table and I resumed writing up notes from my client meeting that had taken place that morning in Kent. As I became absorbed in my task, a voice cut across my peace. “Ah, you are one of the beautiful people then!” Hello, I thought, we’ve got a rum one here. I stopped scribbling and looked up to see who he was talking to. Hmmm, it was definitely me.
“Beautiful person?” I mirrored back using my well-honed coaching skills to the max. “Yes,” he replied, “you’re left-handed!” What ensued was a fascinating journey across a vast spectrum of topics of common interest – how left-handers were harshly discriminated against through life and in spite of this were far more talented and successful than our cack- I mean right-handed counterparts (well he started it); Kent (he too was driving back from Ashford); how the Jurassic Coast had some of the best beaches in the UK (he too lived in deepest darkest Dorset); and anything and everything to do with training and teaching (he was a teacher).
Half an hour later I warmly shook hands with Ted as we parted company, knowing that we would probably never meet again, but content in the pleasurable experience of having formed a meaningful yet fleeting connection with a stranger. It transformed an otherwise mundane ‘coffee and work’ pit-stop into an enlightening and highly enjoyable exploration of someone else’s world and mind. Wonderful!
Sarah’s Positive Tips
#5 Smile at a Stranger
The simple act of smiling can make you happier. Too often we walk past strangers without a glance, or with a straight face or we avoid eye contact altogether. Instead, try something different! Look strangers in the eye, and give them a genuine smile. In most cases, you’ll get a smile in return, and the more you smile, the more smiles you’ll see in return! The end result is a happier world. So simple!
