Since we have so many die hard Penguin hockey fans in my house, myself being one of them, my family decided that we were going to go out to watch the playoff game.
When we got to the restaurant, there was already a good amount of people within an area surrounded by eight flat screen TVs. My father, mother, brother, and I decided to choose a table that was closest toward the second flat screen TV. As the game proceeded, it was obvious that everyone in the restaurant was watching the hockey game and through the comments made it was also clear that everyone was a Penguins fan.
At one particular moment there was a situation where the other team made a cheap play against the Penguins and two of the individuals sitting next to my family’s table struck up conversation with us about the play. This conversation was not a long conversation, but one in which each group of people validated what the other group was stating about the play. After this, when the Penguins made a good play, goal, or got a penalty, my family and these two individuals would celebrate or be upset together.
The fact that two groups of complete strangers could come together over something as random as a hockey playoff game was amazing to me. So, how did this happen?
Well…
1. We were knowingly at the restaurant for the same reason, the hockey game.
2. We were opened to celebrating the goals and good plays of our team together because we were on the same team.
3. We were all able to understand the language of a hockey fan, which helped our communication with one another.
So how can you and your community have a similar random moment with a group of strangers?
1. Get out and do something within your town, city, or area
2. Develop an understanding for your surroundings
3. Be open to having conversations about subjects that are commonalities between your small community and the individuals around you.
And last but not least, LETS GO PENS!!!
