Crosswalk conversations: the surprising ways we connect

I stood in front of my dresser with a big decision to make: Which tee-shirt should I wear today?

They all have a message on them. Every single one. From “Save the Sea Turtles” from the Dominican Republic, to the Calgary Police Canine Unit, to the Yamnuska Wolf Dog Sanctuary, to Pink Floyd’s “Brick in the Wall.” Every one has a story, whether it be someone I know, somewhere I’ve been, or something I have strong feelings for.

So I stood there subconsciously asking myself, “Who do I want to be today?”

I chose my “Republic of Newfoundland” tee-shirt, one of my favorites. It makes me feel like I’m home. Even though I left the “Rock” in 1979, I still consider myself a Newfoundlander, despite being told that after so long away, I’m not really a “Newfie” any longer. I beg to differ. If you were born there and raised there, you are “from” there.

I digress. That’s who I wanted to be today.

An hour later, I was out for my morning walk through town and onto the trail, my tee-shirt shouting that my tribe today was being a shirt-wearing member of the “Republic of Newfoundland.”

I stopped at the crosswalk and waited for the walk signal, watching people arguing amongst themselves on the other side of the street. I couldn’t hear much; I didn’t need to. Their body language was speaking volumes, the loudest of them being a robust woman holding a leash connected to a tiny bulldog. She was pointing, shouting, and gesticulating about something to the other people, and they were doing the same back.

The light went green, and I crossed the street while the people on the other side kept on arguing. I decided to give them a wide berth and strolled past, trying desperately to mind my own business while secretly listening for what had gotten them so riled up.

A few steps past, and I thought I was clear when I heard, “Hey buddy, nice shirt! I’m from Newfoundland too.”

I looked in their direction only to see the woman with the dog beckoning me to come back and talk. So I did. The woman who had been leading an argument with the other people was now smiling and doing the Newfoundland thing, asking me, “Where you from?” and “Do you know so and so?” It was like we had known each other our whole lives. She was connecting with me because of a tee-shirt and a shared location.  Her whole demeanor had changed from confrontation to connected just from a message on a tee shirt.

We talked for a couple of minutes, and I carried on with my walk, thinking all the way back home about the experience and what I had learned.

Connecting with others is not rocket science.  Whether you are a sales professional trying to connect with a client or a leader attempting to engage the team, When you find something that connects you both and let it guide the conversation, and if you remain open, you’ll arrive at a place where you can both feel included and heard.

Five Points to Consider About Connecting with People:

1. Shared Interests and Backgrounds: Commonalities, such as a shared location or interest, can create instant connections and open up conversations.
2. Nonverbal Communication: Body language often speaks louder than words. Being observant can provide insights into people’s emotions and intentions.
3. Openness to Conversation: Being approachable and open to conversations can lead to meaningful interactions, even with strangers.
4. Cultural Connection: Identifying with cultural symbols, like a tee-shirt representing a place or group, can foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
5. Positive Engagement: Be open and encouraging.  Turning a potentially negative situation (an argument) into a positive one (friendly conversation) demonstrates the power of positivity in human connections.

Let’s embrace opportunities to connect with others, share our stories, and build meaningful relationships. Whether it’s through a shared background, interest, or simply a smile, every interaction counts.

Make an Impact!