I have yet to find an office space so I have been spending a
lot of my mornings working from various coffee shops around Des Moines. The
lady at Panera actually knows me by name and practically has my coffee cup ready
when I walk in the door. I decided to try out a new place last week and went to
La Mie. It’s one of those restaurants where you order food when you walk in and
then you find a place to sit. The place was very busy and there was an older
gentleman standing by my table just waiting for someone to leave. I told him
that I was by myself and he was welcome to join me. He said yes and promised
that he wouldn’t bother me because he could tell I was busy. I had my laptop
out and papers scattered everywhere for a memo I was writing. After 5 minutes
of a constant barrage of questions, it was very apparent that he was not going
to let me finish my memo. I shut my laptop and started talking to him. We
talked for almost 2 hours (I hope my boss isn’t reading this) and I now know
his life story. He was so excited to tell me all about his career, his late wife,
and his kids and how successful they are…or at least 2 of the 3. I started out slightly
annoyed that I wasn’t getting any work done, but I thoroughly enjoyed the
conversation. Sometimes I get so caught up in what is going on with my kids, my
job, my life that I don’t take the time to listen to what is going on with
other people. He thanked me profusely when he left for letting him talk my leg
off. I hope to see him there again in the future.
I love La Mie!
ReplyDeleteI remember living in Chicago, and going to the suburbs to hang out with a friend. While waiting for her at Starbucks, the man next to me starting making small talk. I remember thinking, "I don't know you. Why are you talking to me?" Then I realized, when did I go from small town midwest girl where everyone says hello to a city girl that is too busy to chat with a stranger. I think it is important to find a good balance!