A Stranger Loaned Me A Book

I decided to take my own advice over the weekend and talk to a stranger.

After going to Caribou Coffee to get some work done with a friend of mine we heard this guy in a chair close-by start to laugh out loud. I asked my friend (via IM, we’re subtle like that) what he was reading. She replied that it was a book on physics of some kind.

He stood up and started talking to this kid about physics and I boldly eavesdropped on the conversation. Then I interrupted and asked, “What book are you reading?” To which he replied, “The Quantum Ten.”

I was enraptured! Here’s a little secret about me, I love reading about and studying theory on quantum physics and mechanics. It’s interesting, and it’s basically the proof that if you study something hard enough and you try to figure it out long enough you are left with a bigger mystery than when you started. Logic leading to mystery is fun, therefore, I love quantum physics.

We had a conversation based on the book and when it was published (this year!) and what he did for a living (something about laminates and jets and physics) and what I did (blogging and writing) and it was a really enjoyable conversation.

He went back to reading, I went back to working and all was well.

Then…he came over and asked me if I’d like to borrow the book! He had just finished and said that he’d lend it to me and I could call him when I was done and we’d arrange a drop-off back at the very public Caribou Coffee.

Needless to say, I’m excited. While I’m a big fan of talking to strangers, I’ve never done so when I was working, because I do my best to concentrate and get my goals accomplished. But that half hour is easily retrieved from my work week, and now I have a book to read that I wouldn’t have known about (or had easy access to) otherwise.

What you get from networking isn’t always a client. This is evidenced by my book as well as the comment from Ruth (at Maplewood VA) on Friday who won an apple pie for deciding to talk to a stranger. But these little moments where you talk to strangers and get something positive out of it will make it easier to talk to the next stranger and ask them if they know someone that might need your services.

It’s all about practice making perfect.