Conversare updates in Hong Kong and Adelaide

Conversare is a social process in which people meet in a public place such as a pub or a cafe to have wholesome encounters with at least one person they don’t know. A host welcomes everyone, sets them at their ease and provides guidelines for the event.

A fundamental premise is that whoever shows up to give of themselves through being curious and interested in the others are the right people. Another is that ‘Whenever we treat each other well good things happen.’

As you may intuit there are very real benefits from participating in such gatherings, among which are:

. the sheer pleasure of mixing naturally and easily and engaging in conversation when everyone present is doing the same.

. a way of ‘getting to know’ others at the beginning of a venture.

. reducing feelings of loneliness – reportedly very common, particularly by people who are in a new place or who live alone.

. ‘refreshing’ your people skills, particularly of listening.

. meeting with people of different backgrounds and ages.

For more on the process and its benefits see Conversare in America

Here is a comment on a personal experience:

“Thank you very much to everyone who were there last Friday and all the past events that i had been to.

To me, i feel that its truly amazing to discover similarities of feelings and experiences in such a dynamic crowd of global citizens that we all are. This atmosphere that we create by being together is so comfortable and allows me to openly and truly express myself and my views. It also teaches me to learn to listen openly and pay attention to the other person as well and when i do that i see myself in the mirror and notice both the similarities and the differences of who i am. All these experiences had been marvellous and enlightening as i see something new every time.”
Jessica Syvones

Jessica was referring to the gatherings in Hong Kong before I left there in 2011 to go back to Adelaide.

Updates on Conversare in:

1. Hong Kong

I had said to fine friends there that “I will return!’ Which is happening in a few weeks time, all being well. This graphic is part of the explanation.<smile>

 

 

 

 

 

 

A gathering, likely mainly of longstanding friends, is scheduled for Friday 10 January 2014, at a venue to be finalised. The one we used earlier, Café Zambra, has gone.

2. Adelaide

The original venue used in Adelaide changed in character and lost its appeal.

A very suitable place for conversation has recently been found. This is Earth’s Kitchen, 131 Pirie Street in the city.

Gatherings will commence there in the new year.

Looking forward

Alan Stewart
Adelaide

New e-book Time to converse – at the heart of human warmth

Tw: @alpalstewart