17 November 2006

When nice things happen...


I had a nice thing happen to me the other day. I work in a building that has ten floors. I've been at that particular job for the last five years and during that time, you get to recognise others who work in the same building.
The other day I was going to get a sandwich for lunch and took the lift (the stairs are only legally used as a fire escape. Just getting in before someone tells me that using the stairs is better for me!). I work on the seventh floor and at the sixth floor a man entered the lift.
"Gidday," he says, "how are you?"
"I'm fine," I reply. "How are you?"
"I wouldn't be dead for quids!" came the reply.
And from there we got talking. We walked out of the lift, out of the building, down the road and into the same coffee bar for our lunches, chatting madly all the while, as if we were old friends from way back.
No, I haven't seen him since, I have no idea who he is, but for that short space in time, we were old friends talking about our day and what was going on in the world.
It was the highlight of my day that two strangers could, for a brief moment, share a friendship. We may never see each other again, but for me, it's something I will treasure. One of those serendipitous things that happen every so often with a complete stranger.

11 comments:

rel said...

Robyn,
That sounds like blogging in person!

Those spontaneous frienships or kindred spirit meetings are so uplifting, I agree.

It sort of affirms us.
rel

Carole Burant said...

What a lovely encounter with that stranger, Robyn...it's funny how we can start a conversation with a complete stranger and feel so at ease with them! Geez, what would my mama think since she taught me never to talk to strangers?? hehe Have a wonderful weekend my friend!! Hugs xoxox

Gary said...

I used to be shy and never enjoyed those, but as I have gotten older I have really come to love them.

Lee said...

I hope he wasn't talking on his mobile phone, Robyn like in that Pepsi commercial! ;)

It's nice to have a fleeting conversation like that with a total stranger...more likely the next time you see him, it will be different, which is much the pity. He sounded as though he was on top of the world and wanted to share his exuberance. :)

SnowWhite said...

what a nice post, little meetings like that make your day more enjoyable
xx
shona

DellaB said...

Good lift story, Robyn. I can just see it as it happened - it's absolutely amazing how much information can pass between 2 people when they click and go at it for just a few minutes.

I do the lift thing too, our building has 5 floors, and 3 lifts, but there are over 800 people who work there - not all at once, the building runs open from 7a.m. to 11p.m., so there are always people around, and lots of 30 sec sound bites.
:-)
Della

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~~ What a nice post. It is nice to chat with someone for awhile.
I do it at podiatrists when I'm an hour early and at doctors. Maybe you will meet again. Thanks for your comments, and yes I did enjoy the craft market with John, and it is nice to get out of the house for awhile. It is now 33 C and it is
going to be even hotter tomorrow.
Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

Mountain Mama said...

Isn't that fun?
When it happens to me, I later think about the conversation and what they may have heard from me that would make their life richer.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

It's wonderful when things like that happen. Makes the day extra special.
Have a wonderful week.
Take care, Meow

Gattina said...

I really did enjoy this evening ! And to see all these old friends again was very funny. And yesterday evening I went with a friend to an Indian musical "Barathi" was absolutely gorgeous ! I will write and post about it. Some pictures are nice, not very good but better than nothing !

Peter said...

Funny thing Robyn, I also thought how much like blogging that encounter sounded.