Conversare Ingredients Part 1

This post is to let you know some of what happened and of the background , mainly in relation to venue and catering considerations. These are central to the organisation of contexts in which people relate well with those they do not know.

I will elaborate shortly on other components of ‘what happened’, particularly about suggested topics for conversation between two people over dinner. An idea for one of these came to me the morning of the event, from a friend in Vancouver who is also passionate about the significance of conversing.

And on the singing, the most remarkable singing which occurred. Really astonishing how everyone got ‘into it’ – even those who claim that they ‘can’t sing’– inspired and delighted by one person who most certainly can!

As Rita commented recently, Conversare is a variation of the essential purpose of co-creating contexts “which the feelings are [still] there. friendships are made ideas exchanged and ideals examined …”

One participant on Friday reported: “As always I enjoyed talking to different people.”

And as another person from North America noted in an email: “I am trying to create some conversations similar to you in my neighborhood.”

My comments are, naturally, only one perspective of what transpired. They are of the person who initiated the project and who had in mind these key features:

For this to happen there have to be several ‘pre-conditions’ taken care of, among which are the suitability of the place and the provision of food.

The venue proved to be most suitable for our purposes in diverse respects. It is roomy, easy to access, has facilities for warming food and for making tea or coffee and is in a quiet location – not readily found in Hong Kong! With a little colourful décor added it was made to look and feel ‘friendly and inviting.’

Plus the staff of the organisation which runs the BMSE (Body, Mind, Spirit and Environment) could not be more supportive of the enterprise or more helpful with logistics.

The food! Staging a meeting that starts at 7.30pm means that good food has to be provided. So here’s a quandary, ‘How to do this?’ The venue does not have a catering facility – although it does have a small kitchen which can be used for warming dishes. In fact we were asking for a precedent as in no other activities which take place in the building is there a provision of food.

Previous venues we have used to date were restaurants and so this was not an issue. We could have approached facilities which do ‘outside catering’ but those we knew of – so far – which delivered pizzas did not seem to be appealing.

So what transpired? Hereby hangs a tale. <smile>. On a trip to the USA a few weeks ago I ‘visited with’ (as Americans say) Pete Seeger, the famous folk singer and activist now aged 91. I had written to him to say that I was ‘passing by’ his home town en route to a conference near to Albany in upstate New York and “was there a possibility that I could call in to say hello, briefly?” He responded: “I am curious to meet you. Let me know which train you’ll be on. I can pick you up at the station.” Which he did. More about my encounter with this magnificent person later.

Back to the food for last Friday! A friend of mine in Hong Kong hails originally from upstate New York. He of course knew of Pete Seeger and what he had done to help clean up the Hudson River, and he has been enchanted by the story of my visit. A couple of weeks ago he invited my wife and me to join him at a table in a local plaza, at which were seated several of his friends. One of these had brought some home made lasagna and offered this to us. Absolutely delicious!

This experience triggered the thought, “What about asking this lady to provide her lasagna – vegetable and meat – for the next gathering, given that most of the participants were likely to be Westerners?” Although somewhat surprised by this request – as she is not in the catering business (yet!) – she did it and what she produced was much appreciated by those present – except for one who said that she did not like pasta dishes. There was plenty of fresh salad and bread, and a tasty dessert to follow.

These comments above illustrate that, in an enterprise such as this, you make it up as you go. Solutions ‘emerge’ once you have formulated the right questions – and the ‘right people’ show up!

The adventure evolves in the doing, and with it a feeling of greater rhythm and different knowing …

Does this match your experience?

Are there other contexts in which you can see value in applying this kind of approach?

Please feel welcome to add your comments and queries on this report and/or on anything else in this blog which resonates with you.