Don’t you sometimes feel that in this exceptionally connected world of ours you are still, somehow, so very disconnected? It’s strange but true in so many ways. A connected disconnection, if I may say so. An oxymoron but a reality nevertheless. Yes, you are all there for each other, commenting, liking and sharing but you’ll have to admit, the charm of being in the same room, talking face to face is something technology can never out-date. Or, as Starbucks says good things happen when we get together.
Reminisce for a moment about a time when you met someone who was, maybe still is, special for you. When you hugged, cried and shared stories over a cup of coffee. It does bring a smile on your lips, doesn’t it? It’s moments like these which end up in that scrapbook of life; those you can think about time and again. It’s moments like these that help you get through those hard times in life.
I too have many such moments, memories rather. I guess we all do. Those pearls in life’s memory lane which makes a stroll along its shores worthwhile. It was the time when I had just come back from Sydney. My flight had reached Bangalore a little past midnight. S and I weren’t married then. Yes, it was during those dating years of ours. Thus, you could say definitely exciting. We were meeting after almost a year apart. And let me tell you that’s a long, long time to be away from the one you love. That night I saw him standing at the arrivals lounge waiting for me and suddenly everything was worth it. There he was just as he had promised. S and I talked throughout that night like we had never before, oblivious to people who walked in and out of the cafe, taking short breaks in their very own journeys of life. A challenge overcome, a relationship stronger than before and the realisation of it all cemented over a conversation at close quarters, that was what that night was all about. One of my very own #HowWeMet stories for you.
No matter how much you remain in touch through social media or calls, meeting your friends and family face to face can never get too old. I have blogger friends with whom I’m connected virtually all through the day but even then meeting them is far better than, say, commenting on their threads or posts. Meeting my sister over a cup of coffee at Starbucks is another ritual that has made its way into my life. One of my favourite #HowWeMet moment actually. Even though we call each other at least 5 times a day or stay on Whatsapp 24X7, nothing can compare those moments when we are together, talking about everything under the sun. Of course, the cherry on the cake is that special smile that my coffee addict of a sister flashes every time I take her to Starbucks on our days together.I guess what I’m trying to say here is meeting personally always trumps any other means of being connected.
If you go through more stories here: http://www.meetmeatstarbucks.in/ or even think about your own, you’ll come to the same realisation as many, many others before you. A real hug is more powerful than a smiley you share online. A real conversation is more cathartic than a chat online. Meeting is more powerful than any call or any conversation online. The human element, the human touch is what makes relationships tick. Thus, real is better than virtual anytime, all the time. And like I mentioned before something good always comes out of it.
And that’s why I love the Starbucks microsite http://www.meetmeatstarbucks.in/ where real people have shared real stories, of authentic moments of human interactions which have led to rapports that have the prospective of lasting a lifetime.
In fact, why don’t you read some #HowWeMet stories here and perhaps share your own too?
So true that online can never replace real life interaction. I agree that a hug beats a smiley any day. Still I am very grateful for my online friendships as I never would have had the chance to meet all you wonderful people otherwise. I do feel my world has expanded as a result. Online is the next best thing to real life as some of us live in isolated spots and this is a good way to reach out and interact in a small way at least.
I love myself those face to face interactions, Naba. Glad to say I got a decent dose of those this last year. I cherish my online connections but nothing beats the warmth exchanged over a cup of steaming tea in person 🙂 I do hope you and I can meet in the coming year 🙂
So very true! I love being able to stay in touch with friends online – especially the ones who are far away – but nothing matches being in the same room together. Lovely post. 🙂
So true. The joy which face to face interactions bring to all can never be replaced by social media and the likes.
Right you are Nana – physically meeting someone over a cup of coffee or a sandwich is a whole different thing.
Agree Carthy…certainly online interactions have made it easier to be in touch with people from all over the world…
I hope so too Shailaja… It's always nice to meet someone in person and that adds to the charm of any relationship…
Thanks Laurel… Maybe we can meet as well some day 🙂
Absolutely Aseem!
Oh yes Tulika…Maybe we can meet someday as well 🙂
spot on Naba, there's nothing like talking and smiling silly over a cup of coffee. Ahh I miss those moments with friends. We are so used to online chatting that sometimes face to face conversations become awkward. You don't know what to say… what to talk about except weather and cricket. The moment at the airport must have been so beautiful 🙂 I can relate to that 🙂 Beautiful post.
Very true that social media can never replace real interaction. But thank goodness for social media else I would miss out on a lot of interactions with old friends and the world would be a lonelier place.
Nothing beats a good conversation over a cup of coffee . Physically meeting someone, face to face is so much better and actually a definite stress buster. Whatsapp cannot take over that!
How true that – interacting with a gravatar is never the same as interacting with a person 🙂
did this really happen…. wow!!! http://www.rohitdassani.com
I rest my case. You've said it all! Let's meet at Starbucks! 😀
That's a lovely story, and this is a lovely campaign they are running. I love all those #HowWeMet stories 🙂
A face to face tête-à-tête is always preferable 🙂 Nice post Nabanita…
Aha! I loved your meeting with S at the airport! It's true, nothing can match the magic of personal interaction and if it is over coffee then, it is heavenly! 🙂
Oh yes Rajlakshmi… We are so cut off these days that it takes time to warm up during a face to face conversation… Thanks for reading 🙂
True Suzy… I guess it has two sides to it…And when we take the positives of both sides it's great , isn't it?
Oh yes true Red.. Whatsapp can't even take over that!
You said it Suresh !
Yes it did 🙂
Let's set a date then Vidya 🙂
Oh I love those stories too 🙂
Thanks Maniparna 🙂
Agree Shilpa… It really is magic , isn't it? 🙂
How lovely! Enjoyed your story. Is he back already?
That's the one thing I miss here – real interaction with friends…
But, I am thankful to have Starbucks close by – I can walk there with a good book and a cup of coffee and my afternoon is well spent 🙂
Loved your story of meeting S at the airport. Made me smile 🙂
It seems ironic that as technology pushes us into connecting in other ways, i.e., through social media, we are becoming more disconnected on another level as you mention Naba. I, for one, often feel so disconnected with such few close friends who are busy or ill and at times, it is a real challenge for me. I am glad and grateful for my social friends, especially via BAR and wish I could meet you all…in person of course! 😉 <3
Sometimes we get obsessed with the virtual world and that fools our brain. Well written blog post. I invite you to visit my blog http://kerala2dolist.blogspot.in
Which is about Kerala also known as God's own country.