The most important word in the world
This article has been written as part of the “Most Important Word in the World” series; a collaborative project to inspire people to step outside their comfort zones and find adventure and friendship. Other contributors to the series are: Wandering Earl, 1 Year Sabbatical, Nomadtopia, the Dropout Diaries, Beyond Norms, Do Something Cool, and A World of Inspiration.
Can’t see the video? Click here.
I’m walking home from a friend’s house late on New Year’s Day. A man zips past on an odd looking bicycle. He jumps off a little ahead of me and starts chaining it to a lamppost. I get closer and see that he’s in possession of one of those fold up dealios, an origami bike.
Having never seen one in real life before, I’m curious, I want to ask about it… but I hesitate, social conformity getting the better of me for a moment. Because you’re not supposed to talk to strangers, remember? They’re dangerous and evil and they’ll chop off your forearms.
I’ve almost walked past him completely, almost to the point of no return, when I tell my lizard brain to whist. I stop and turn to the guy.
– Hello… do you mind if I ask what kind of bike that is?
He seems only delighted to tell me. Tis indeed a fold up bicycle. We get talking for a few minutes. His name turns out to be Andrew. I tell him I’ve just moved to Cork. He tells me he’s been here for years and publishes a popular local events magazine. The rapport is building, and he tells me he was just out for a quiet drink, sure why don’t I join him?
Why not indeed. He’ll hardly chop off my forearms in the pub.
So in we went, and away we chatted. I was fascinated by Andrew’s work, he seemed fascinated by mine. Knowing a little bit about internet marketing, I offer him some tips to improve his magazine’s web presence. On learning that I’m into public speaking, he tells me of a friend who organizes Pecha Kucha nights in Cork. We talk for an hour, exchange contact details and vow to keep in touch.
And keep in touch we do.
A month later I deliver a Pecha Kucha presentation on my Random Acts of Courage project. It’s very well received by the audience of fifty. They also like the later presentation about a European hostel on wheels. Afterward, I cast out a few hellos and get chatting to some local students. Fast forward two weeks, and one of those students kindly hooks me up to the college computer network via her account, meaning I once again have access to Photoshop and some other software that I lost in the great laptop crash of January 10th. Hoo-rah!
Back to Andrew. We stay in contact, and grab lunch together every so often. Before long he asks if I’d be interested in doing some consulting work for the magazine, help them out with their web strategy and such. But of course, says I. That results in some fun collaboration and a bit of money in mo phoca.
Then, out of the blue in March, I get a message from the guy who gave that European-hostel-on-wheels presentation. Mick is his name, and he wants to take people around Europe on his massive Bunkabus; sleep on the road every night, wake up in a new city every morning. Sounds like fun. They’re now close to their maiden voyage, but they need help getting the word out online. Via Facebook, Mick knows that I know a few things about internet marketing, and wants to meet for a chat. We get together over lunch and really hit it off. No firm commitments or anything, but methinks it could be the start of a nifty little business relationship.
And that’s pretty much the story so far. I took a chance and said hello to a stranger that one night, and it’s led me to connect with some legendary people and have some very cool experiences. And I suspect the butterfly effect of that initial wing flap isn’t done just yet. Who knows where else it might lead.
Now a few of you there reading this might be thinking that such a chain of events is the exception rather than the rule, that it’s rare for such good things to come from talking to a stranger, that I just got lucky, etc. etc. And you know what, I agree with you. I often say hello to strangers and get back nothing more than a strange look, or complete ignorance. Or I awake from a drunken blackout a few hours later with a man’s hand down my pants (true story).
But that’s okay. I’m willing to endure a few misadventures for a chance at meeting more people like Andrew, and experiencing all the fantasticness that follows.
What about you?
Have you ever taken a shot and said hello to a stranger, and ended up tumbling down some legendary rabbit hole, drenched in serendipity and happenstance? Go on, share your story in the comments. It’s good for the kidneys.
This is not exactly the same kind of “hello”, but…
Years ago I was struggling to re-design my own website and found this useful piece of code I wanted to try: Coda-Slider. I used it and exchange some messages with the creator, just to have some hints on usage. I never write to unknown people over the internet, I tend to be shy on the web, other than in real life; but that time I needed help, and wanted to say thanks.
Some time later I asked his friendship on linkedIn; and on facebook.
And you know what? He is a wonderful person and I learn something new every time I read something he writes. And what I learn has nothing to do with coding anymore!
Aw, thanks so much Sara! I still remember seeing your implementation of Coda-Slider and being very impressed. Glad that little bit of jQuery connected us
I’d like to hear about the last thing you mention haha. Great story Niall. Amazing such fluke encounters exist but even a “fluke” wouldn’t happen without a hello. That’s great that it led to some work and most likely, more collaboration in the future. Are you going on the bunkabus? hah
Thanks, Matt. Yeah, I definitely plan to check out the Bunkabus later this year. That might be how I get back to Ireland from Spain actually. I don’t want to actively promote it until I try it out for myself.
Great story. Most of the time when I say hello to someone, it doesn’t go anywhere. But every so often I’ll say hello and I get to have an adventure or meet someone really interesting. I think it just shows that you should say hello to as many people as you can.
It’s good to be careful around new people, but you’ll have more opportunities to do cool things if you just say hello and meet them. I think your story perfectly illustrated that.
Thanks Steve. I enjoyed your story, too. Way to be chivalrous!
What an awesome story! I like your point in the video that you have to keep trying, that not all encounters will end in this way but that we need to keep putting ourselves out there because eventually the magic will happen.
Yeah, that really is the key. Fall down seven times, get up eight and all that.
Thanks for the comment, Matt.