Conversare: face to face interaction in contexts which may be regarded as ‘unusual’ – initially

“Those seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”

I wonder if you may come see how this idea relates to the contexts outlined below?

For Conversare events in which the core activity is to have a meal with a stranger is seemingly counter to our usual ways of socialising – which are mainly with people we already know such as family and friends. And it is quite different from what is now commonplace, communicating largely virtually.

The very idea of taking time out to engage with someone you don’t know purely for the experience of an encounter which may not have any follow up reportedly comes across to some people as “insane.”

And yet many lively spirits who participated in these events when they were first staged in Hong Kong greatly appreciated the opportunity to do it.

Now in Adelaide whenever I have mentioned the prospect of it happening here the invariable response is “What a good idea! Please keep me informed about its happening.”

Often with a comment about “this is like going back to the 70s!” Which may ring ‘true’ – at least to those who were young and older adults then in that there were good times experienced in face to face activities.

As mentioned previously the prospect is looming for Conversare events to be held in the Adelaide Central Market after trading hours on a week night. While arrangements are not quite confirmed they are likely not long off.

In the mean time you may be interested to know that a similar kind of activity is coming up at the Adelaide Hub on May 12, 2015:  Lunch and Learn: Towards co-creating a culture of conversation in Hubs.

Support for the underpinning of what Conversare is and does comes from two recent publications. These have a focus on the significance of what the authors describe metaphorically as “Living in a village like environment. A way of being in which we have lived experience of ‘real’ social networks.” By this they mean rich face to face contacts – not the kind that happen on Facebook or Twitter – in everyday life at home, school and work.

One of these which I touched on previously is ‘The Village Effect –How Face-to-Face Contact Can Make Us Healthier, Happier, and Smarter. By Susan Pinker.

http://www.susanpinker.com/ and a review: http://bryanappleyard.com/hell-is-not-other-people/

The other is The OPA! Way by Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon

“The OPA! Way is a reminder for all of us stop and reflect on why and how we are doing what we are doing.”

And: ” Today, we see that despite being in an increasingly networked and connected world via technology, too many people feel disconnected from and untrusting of others—neighbours, co-workers, leaders—and, perhaps most importantly, from themselves.”

http://completewellbeing.com/book-review/opa-way-alex-pattakos-elaine-dundon/ Also:  http://completewellbeing.com/article/finding-joy-and-meaning-in-everyday-life-and-work/

Can you appreciate that there is something in the wind – or in the water <smile> – a propos when people come together purely to converse with no particular outcome in mind. Except the knowing that whenever we engage with each other respectfully and non judgmentally good things happen …

Looking forward

Go well

Alan

Alan Stewart, PhD
Adelaide

PS Some nice comment on my new book Time to converse – at the heart of human warmth

“I could almost not get away from the pages 25 and 26 – there is enough there for a lifetime of daily practice. I know I will be using this book to nourish me and others for many moons to come.”
Moira Deslandes             

“A mutual friend generously gave me a copy of your brilliant little book ‘Time to converse’. It’s a treasure.  I just ate up every page.  I pick it up and allow a page to open so it chooses to fill me up. The quotes and the essence speak to me profoundly.”
Robyn Stratton-Berkessel

“I love what you are saying … It was a joy to read. You appreciated the warmth that people need in their relationships …in their meeting one another. You have put to words the connectedness and warmth of relationship that people long for – even when they don’t realize this is what they long for.

Sometimes Alan people are attached to what is not healthy- to the suffering of the world and dysfunctional interests of society (eg pornography) they don’t realize that their soul needs the basic stuff of warm connectedness to others, and being ‘met’ by others. (Some do but many don’t). You capture in words the beauty and the value of human relations.”
Kate Barrett-Lennard