Conversare – Make Conversation great again

Do you sense a familiar ring about this title?  <smile>

It does suggest that we have lost something. And that we humans have more connection to lose than potential gain.

It is also aspirational. We all want to be better, or to make our connections better.

Do you ever think that what is really missing in your life is deep and meaningful – and enjoyable and fun – conversation?

Here’s what this post could have been entitled:

Conversare – To experience rich conversation in safe, welcoming places

Perhaps this ‘naming’ and these ‘reminders’ below will bring this to your consciousness and enable you to better appreciate what is now on offer to you. Particularly for now for Adelaidians, in the Central Market after trading hours.  Also being planned for two local suburban areas and a country town near Sydney. And moving along,  in Hong Kong and London in July and in Manila in November.

“I have travelled much, and devoted much study to human beings individually and collectively, but I have only found real sociability among the French. For they alone know how to joke; and fine, subtle joking, enlivening conversation is what makes up the charm of society.”
The Memoirs of Casanova

Not just any talk is conversation
Not any talk raises consciousness
Good conversation has an edge
It opens your eyes to something
It quickens your ears.
James Hillman  The soul’s code in search of purpose and calling

Quite pragmatically Conversare in the Market is a remarkable opportunity to experience – if you happen to live locally – or to be recognised by others elsewhere, lively conversing happening over a fine meal with someone you don’t know.  Everybody in the room does the same.

Whenever I mention to people that the core activity of these events is to have a meal with a stranger the almost invariable response is “What a lovely idea!”  One young woman said “It sends a shiver down my spine!”

In what may be described as a Third Place (see here),  a public space in which anybody who wishes to come along is welcome, everybody present participates fully and all recognise that ‘We are in this together and to treat each other well’.

This little video illustrates what is happening regularly in the Market, now  contributing to ‘vibrancy’ in the CBD (central heart of the city) at night.

If you are interested to learn more of the role of the host of this kind of event see here.

And for comments of participants in Adelaide and in Hong Kong , where this experiment in ‘high quality connecting’ began,  see Feedback.

Also for a quirky little story of ‘ride sharing in Paris and the quality of  associated ‘blab bla’ see:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03tgk2l  About how much ‘bla’ each car owner can nominate. Also Reviews of the experience of users of the service on the quality of the conversation with a stranger!

How’s this for gracious and generous observations of a great friend?

“I think you are brilliant with Conversare. If I envision World Cafe as the Warm-up; Open Space as the Ignitor, I see Conversare as the meaningful and what matters most in life…with pure joy of conversation, food, closeness, joy, happiness, letting go, etc. etc.

So Alan, being quite strategic about it all, I see you knocking on every door and nudging yourself in based on the “wonderment, beauty and awe” that you have about your new place (venue being the Adelaide Central Market ) and how invigorating you find it to be as a place that can teach the world in a “positively deviant” kind of way.

What you are doing is inviting people to build on the most amazing things they have done, all those bright spots to continue their trailblazing…something that will help others in the world to do.

Don’t know if what I say makes any sense; it’s what I was inspired to write.  Perhaps puff in the air, but I assure you it comes from head and heart!”
Suzanne Daigle

What a challenge! Wonderfully others are joining in the operations, arising from a recent get together of seven people who are passionate to contribute to the ongoing development of the enterprise. One outcome is that new hosts are forthcoming, starting when I am away in July in London.  And that an event will be held there on Tuesday 19 July, kindly convened by another fine friend David Gurteen.  This would complement nicely two events in the USA in 2013. See Conversare in America.

Do you see here the germ of ‘a way of being together’ which could make a difference to how we turn and face each other?

Does such a way matter in how we, together, address the complex  challenges ahead?

Looking forward.

Go well

Alan

 

Alan Stewart, PhD
Facilitator of conversations that matter and participatory fun
Senior Fulbright Scholar
Blog: Conversare
Member: National Trouble Makers Union

Book: Time to converse – at the heart of human warmth   Comments on this may also resonate with you.

‘Be prepared to be delighted’