Mountain, valley, reverse inside fold.
No, I did not attend a Tuesday evening extreme laundry while hiking event. I went to a meetup for origami lovers. On a rain evening near Union Square, I walked into Argo Tea Cafe. I made a beeline for the counter and ordered a steaming cup of Hibiscus Apple tea. Yes, it was utterly delicious.
Armed with my cozy cup of happiness, I approached a table covered with colorful pieces of paper, and a folded dragon. I asked a silly question:
“Is this the origami meetup group?”
Immediately, the kind bearded man I had approached moved his backpack off the seat next to him and cleared a space for me to settle in. I introduced myself and he asked me if I ever folded before. Then, another man entered holding an impressive paper rooster. My new friend introduced me to the newcomer, and the other woman sitting at the table.
The kind smiles and warm welcome clued me in that this was a group I could feel comfortable with immediately. I then realized that the man with the rooster was going to teach us how to make a rooster of our own!
They all wasted no time in make sure I had the paper I needed. Right as we began, another person at the table, not part of our group, asked if he could join in. “I love origami! Do you mind if I join?” He was immediately given paper as well, and welcomed into our happy little party. When we had all completed our roosters, everyone grabbed their phones to Instagram our little flock.
As an outsider to OMG on a WTF (Weekly Tuesday Folding), I noticed very clear signs as to why this meetup group was successful.
A sharing and welcoming attitude
Anyone who wanted to join was given paper and patience as they learned the steps to make the rooster. When I struggled with a particular fold, nobody looked bothered that they had to explain it to me again. They were, in fact, joyous about teaching their craft to me.
An internal language
On the other hand, there was a lingo very specific to OMG. The acronyms, for example, are a fun way they have named both their group and different weekly meeting times. They also, of course, share and teach the language of the art of origami. Though I didn’t understand everything at first, it was easy to catch on and be in the know.
Regular meetup times and locations
OMG meets every Tuesday at the Argo Tea Cafe for WTF. They also meet at a different location for AWOL (After Work Origami Lovers) every Thursday. This pattern is useful so that members can show up out of habit, and newcomers can easily remember how to come back.
Friendships are formed
I asked if they spent time outside of the meetup group as friends. They were quick to say YES! Just like at Pints ‘N’ Purls, the shared interest of the group is a catalyst to deeper friendships and bonds.
The passion for origami is the center of each meeting
I learned that sometimes their evening starts with someone teaching a particular origami pattern. Other times, they simple get together and work on whatever project they want. They help each other but do not make any event too rigid with the agenda. The purpose of the Origami Meetup Group is to be a social group that gets together to practice an art, in a fun and casual setting.
I very much enjoyed my hour at the Origami Meetup Group. I left feeling warm, relaxed, and creative! And now, I have a rooster just chilling in my living room. #Success
