Conversare – strong possibilities for the future

Followers of this blog would likely be aware that Conversare (Latin: to turn or to dance together) is a way of socialising in which everyone participates in conversation in pairs F2F about each other.

And is a contribution to realising our greatest power, the magic and joy of human connection.

Could this appeal greatly to you if you long for this kind of experience? And if you recognise that here is something to which to give your full attention? For it’s underpinning is great art, and as such can not be taken in at a glance. (I A Richards)

Also if you see possibilities for expanding your career options through coming to host this kind of event, wherever you live?

And to you, if you are a manager of places in which these events could be held and recognise the opportunity of extending your offerings?

Conversare  differs in purpose from other kinds of conversational based events.

In well established conversational processes such as the World Cafe,  Conversation Cafes and The Art of Hosting the focus of the participants is on a topic to address, particularly complex challenges. This is well and good, and brings substantial learnings and outcomes.

In Conversare gatherings, all present engage in ways in which the focus is on each other. This happens in pairs (F2F, 1:1) of people who have not previously met (strangers). While sharing a meal time together they learn about each other. Everybody present does this, all participate fully.

Which means that everyone becomes conscious of being in conversation and what this means in practice. Given that there are several key components, starting with giving their partner full attention while asking questions which indicate their interest.  And having a role responsibility to keep exploring what each other brings up, with a maximum of interest in what emerges and a minimum of expressed judgment.

For now the essence is coming to know about each other, starting with “What has attracted you to be here?” And moving on to ask questions which arise from having listened to what the person said. From which to develop the connection based on what they heard, rather than what they already wished to say.

From doing this participants quickly come to experience – and to appreciate – that this way of being together is highly enjoyable and satisfying. For here there is genuine interest being shown in each other, with neither partner trying to impress or persuade.

Which is quite different from ‘networking meetings’ in which people tend to look out for those likely to be of most value to them.

For more about this kind of social get together see Conversare – what is it? And Feedback  Plus comments on a particular experience.

Personal  perspectives

Do you have a sense that that this way of meeting could serve a variety of useful purposes for you and perhaps for your associates too? Could just some among these be:

. the sheer enjoyment of being in the company of lively people.

. experiencing a way of meeting others which is not easy to find elsewhere – yet.

. becoming more aware of the skills which are needed to succeed in making the first moves with people who you would wish to meet, or get to know better.

. sharpen your awareness of how to relate to people you don’t already know.  And then putting these learnings into practice in other situations.  Such as within family or work life. Or wherever you would wish, or already like, to socialise.

Hosting matters

Important to note is that these gatherings are hosted.  By this, I mean that a person who has particular experience and associated expertise indicates the guidelines for the procedure of the events. Among these are “Whoever comes are the right people.”, “We are here to give rather than get.” and ‘We are in this together and to treat each other well.”

The host’s role can be thought of as being similar to that of a conductor of an orchestra or of a choir.  Essentially that all present are on the same wavelength (smile) and aware of their respective roles during the event.

Plus re practicalities, among which are:

.  There is fine food ready for you to choose from. In the Adelaide Central Market, kindly provided by the famous Lucias Cafe. Once you have done this, look around for someone you have not met previously – a stranger – with whom to share your mealtime.

There’s considerably more to be said about the special nature of the hosting which is an integral feature of this kind of engaging well with strangers.  See below for how you can ask a question of anything on which you would wish to know more or on which you would like to add your idea(s).

As mentioned in early blog posts this new way of socialising was invented in a café in Hong Kong. Then trialled successfully in a restaurant in Adelaide with the support of the owner. And over the past few years in the Adelaide Central Market, after trading hours at night, also with enthusiastic backing of the manager at the time, Aaron Brumby.

Does this give you the sense that it could be introduced in various kinds of venues?  Among these are places such as cafes, restaurants, hotels, community centres. Which are open to the public, are welcoming and in which food is served or can be catered in.

In the case of the Adelaide Central Market, in which with a new manager it is likely that the events will resume in the new year:

With a sharp focus on enabling people living in the many new apartment buildings in the central business district of Adelaide  – all within easy walking distance – to come to enjoy meeting new people. With a likely focus too on enabling foreign students to meet local people.

For other venues which are suitable for staging these events

Could an important consideration be for managers and/or owners of public places that this offers the opportunity of new and interesting ways of attracting custom?

Cafes:  also extend their trading hours.  Hotels: offer their guests the opportunity to meet others in safe, friendly ways.

A recent note from a former colleague in Hong Kong indicated that a ‘small café in Japan serving English food in which regular gatherings of local Japanese to come and chat in English’. And added “Opportunities for exchange of ideas?”

Do you see similar possibilities where you live?  If so please send me a note in the Contact box.

Potential applications and associated remarkable opportunities to explore in regard to injecting the ‘human touch’ in many and diverse contexts.

What about introducing this at conferences of many kinds on the night before the main event is due to begin? How about in universities as a way of enabling incoming students to appreciate that connecting well with others of different backgrounds and interests is a major component of their whole learning experience?

What other possibilities do you see?

To conclude for now

From what you have noticed here – and possibly also from a look at some of the earlier posts on this blog – I wonder if you see that this is an idea whose time has come? And that there could be remarkable ways in which you could benefit, personally and professionally, from ‘having a go’ in trying out this way of being together?

Could doing this periodically in organisations of any kind, large and small, help promote a sense of ‘community’?

To add 1: