Always Talk to People on Airplanes
A dear friend of mine established and runs her very successful construction auditing business.
She said two simple keys to getting new customers were to:
1) Always smile when walking into a conference or being introduced to someone new.
2) Always talk to the person next to you on an airplane.
Why? When you smile, people are open to you.
On airplanes she has met a wide variety of people and many turned out to be leads to new customers or new customers themselves.
I will admit I am not always in the mood to smile at strangers or talk to those around me. Especially on airplanes where I might be trapped into a dull conversation for hours. Or maybe they will be the one feeling trapped! But I have tried to put this practice into my daily life and my world view.
I see this as applying to my spirtual life. Serving others when I don't feel like it. Maybe they need that smile.
Thinking about this outlook, I considered some 'airplane' moments I have had in my life- when I saw the results:
* After striking up a conversation with a woman at aerobics class and offering to help after her emergency surgery, she asked me to sponsor her through RCIA.
* After noticing a very elderly man looking confused while staring at the products in the market's baking aisle, I was able to help him locate the mini-marshmallows and he gave me a big smile and told me how beautiful I was. I just love men from the past generation.. such chivalry!
* After talking to a quiet 50sih woman at aerobics, (who didn't seem to know anyone else) we began chatting about her job and my dh's current job. She is a sales director and wants to see his resume.
*When I was 9 I said hello to a new girl in class. She is still my dear friend after 37 years. (And also was the one who gave me the airplane advice.)
I know you can think of times in your life when you gave others an open, welcoming countenance and were rewarded. Today in our too-busy, cell-phone clinging, activity-mongering, no-time-for-anybody world, taking the time to meet people where they are can be the best blessing.
Make sure you say hello to that next person you meet on an 'airplane'. Could be a great reward in store.
posted by Cindy at 5:22 PM
3 Comments:
That is a beautiful story, Amy.
I think especially with older people, they can feel shut out sometimes and are often from a simpler time when people did talk more. I know you must have made his day.
Some of my nicest freinds are shyer and even though they don't talk as much, they often have the best things to say. :)
I would say the same appllies at the park. I have had lots of nice chats with strangers who looked a little bored watching their kids play on the play equipment. And many of these were conversations about homeschooling -- most eager to learn more about how one goes about doing it.
Oh that is so true, 1st Grade! I can remember when the boys were little and especially when moving to a new city--- a smile or conversation meant so much.
Also once in a grocery store a mom stopped and asked me if I homeschooled -- (I had two older kids in tow in mid morning) I said yes, she wanted to start-- we are still friends 7 years later. :)
Thanks for the comment!
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