My Single-Serving Friend

The other day I took a one-day trip to Oakland for work and had the best conversation with a stranger that I've ever had!

We were sitting next to each other on the airplane and were quickly absorbed in conversation.  He had a energetic and fascinating life, we had a lot in common, and we enjoyed talking about the same current events.

I met a single-serving friend!

A Single-Serving Friend.

If you've seen Fight Club, then you'll recognize the term.  For those that haven't seen (or don't remember) the film, a 'single-serving friend' is one that you meet only once in a public setting (an airplane) and quickly become friends.  You know that you'll probably never see the person again, but you enjoyed the company.

In today's society, it's extremely hard to find single-serving friends!

Everyone is engrossed in their electronics and they don't come up for air.

I-phones, I-pads, headphones, books, Facebook, movies...

No one looks around and makes eye contact anymore. No one wants to start a conversation

I'm serious.

When you walk down the street, watch how many people have their ear-buds in. How can you start a conversation with someone if they can't hear you. It's the same with the bus/bus-stop, the airplane, and the line at Chipotle.

On my way to the office every morning, I nearly bump into others who are trying to finish the last chapter of their electronic book or trying to write one more Facebook post about the rainy Portland weather.

We Need More Single-Serving Friends!

Why do we need more single-serving friends? Because our conversation skills are going downhill quickly!

The younger generations (and even many older generations) speak in acronyms, text faster then they speak, and cannot write complete sentences. 

Finding single-serving friends is a great way to practice conversation, test our impromptu communication skills, and flex our social muscles.

This helps us grow both as individuals and as societies. We meet others, expand our knowledge and thoughts, and pass this information to the next 'friend'.

Single-serving friends serve a purpose and we need to embrace it!

Find Your Next Single-Serving Friend.

Next time you're in the grocery store line, on an airplane, or riding the bus, take a look around you. Is there someone not in their electronic, noise-making bubble? Say hello. Ask them how their doing. Start a conversation. Find your next single-serving friend.

When was the last time you made a single-serving friend?

Yours in exploiting life!
Quinn