How Snow turns Strangers into Friends

A few weeks ago I was invited to join in a networking organization called LUNCH CLUB. When I accepted the invitation I had no clue what as exactly going to happen. What types of people might I meet? 

The first 45 minutes conversation I had was with a lovely woman who is in public health and happens to know quite a lot about the COVID-19 data and more interesting the vaccine trial data. She was full of information and got me excited for the roll out months before "approval" from the FDA.

When I got the introduction email for me and Alex in the Philippines for Friday at 8pm EST and 9am  there, I wondered what we might talk about.  I sat at the computer at 7:50pm and looked for the link and launched Google Calendar and then Google Meet and waited. Then there was a new face on the screen, a younger man who was excited as it was early morning and he was concerned that he had slept late and was not on exactly on time. We started some seemingly idle chit-chat on the weather in both of our locations. He said it was raining pretty hard there and turned the phone to the window showing me the dark grey sky. I told him it had snowed here yesterday. 

"SNOW? I HAVE NEVER SEEN SNOW!" Alex excitedly exclaimed. So I said, "Well, I can switch this off my computer and take you to see snow!"

With the magic of technology I did just that! I launched Google Meet on my phone and together we left my office, grabbed a coat from the closet and put it on and then slipped into the UGGs by the door and went outside. Pittsburgh had about 4-6 inches of snow two days prior yet it was still white and pristine and piled high in many ways. So i showed Alex the snow on the porch banister, then picked some up with my fingers letting it fall apart and "snow" for him. Then we went to the bushes and I should him how wet and heavy it was that it weighed the branches of the bushes so much they split open! I turned the camera away from me and slowly panned around my neighborhood and he said, "it is just like in the movies" and then inquired, "Where are all the Christmas decorations?" 

I decided it was a nice night and quickly said, "I will take you to see some!" and we walked around the block looking at several of the ways my neighbors have brought the holiday spirit to their homes with decorations. As we approached one home I said, "Look, you get the see a neighbor too!" it was only then that she saw me on the phone and I noticed her window was cracked open a few inches and she heard us! So I turned the phone to show her Alex and said, "My friend in Manila has never seen snow and he also wanted to see some holiday decorations. So I am showing him our block!" She wished us both "Happy Holidays" and we continued on our way with me showing more of the neighborhood including the snow covered pool and parking lot with snow plowed into piles as high as my hips! 

Eventually we returned to the warmth of my home and talked about life, about career paths and what the future may have in store. 

I look forward to more chats with Alex and others from the LunchClub! Networking is about GETTING TO KNOW ANOTHER PERSON, it is not just about SALES. And I am grateful for my experience tonight. It enriched both of us!