There is a coffee shop next to work that I’ve been going to every Wednesday and Friday. For the past 3 years, I had created a morning routine of waking up earlier than I needed to to brew and drink coffee at home. But over the past 3 months, I’ve been sleeping in to instead get coffee at this cafe.
The coffee’s decent, which kept me coming back. After the first couple times though, I’ve been more looking forward to greeting the owners. It’s not that we talk a lot, or about anything at all. I simply enjoy the familiarity. I came for the coffee, and stayed for the “Good to see you again”.
I have a similar experience with the regulars at the gym. I rarely socialize while working out. As soon as I arrive I make a beeline to the squat rack, put in my ear plugs, and lift. But people notice me because of my consistency, and I notice others who are always there with me. One of the personal trainers nicknamed me “The Silent Killer”, because I show up, lift heavy in silence and leave. Three times a week.
These relationships can be deemed superficial since I’m not really engaging with anyone at a deep level. But I don’t think that’s fair. Seeing the same people on a regular basis seems to create a sort of unspoken bond. The bond is created with the sentiment that we’re here together, in the same place and same time, doing similar things. It’s special because despite the near infinite possibilities of where we choose to be and spend our time, we meet here again. The same people in the same place at the same time doing the same thing week after week.
Love this. Thank you.