The Unforseen Treasure

Work dinners. Feared. Dreaded. Mandatory.

Shortly after I started working at my current job, I was required to attend a fancy dinner after hours, and I was petrified. Sure, I am with the same people at work, but still being new, I felt it would be awkward to interact on a strictly social level and undergo a communion with them and their spouses, the whole time wearing a face crippling smile. Not only was I new, I was also single, and the prospect of facing a large group of couples made my stomach turn over, so I did what any rational person would do in this situation: I refused to go alone. I asked my best, single guy friend to come along, and most likely hearing the panic in my voice, he took pity on me and graciously agreed to be my date. That's how I made it through the first dinner.

Now that I've been working for the company awhile, I feel much more comfortable and relaxed with my co-workers and do not hesitate to interact with them and their families after hours. After all, once you work with a group of people in tight quarters for 40 hours every week, in every season, you pretty much know their life stories, the horrible things right along with the interesting things. They've become family.

So as I walked alone into the Campbell House for a work dinner last night, I felt nothing resembling trepidation, only hunger and delight at the prospect of having someone wait on me in a fancy dining room, while devouring expensive food, and drinking the beer of my choice. The occasion for this particular dinner was an annual conference which is put on for our customers. This means, mingle, be on your best behaviour, and smile even more than usual. Totally do-able. The first hour was dedicated to drinking, standing around, and or course, talking (laughing was not mandatory but certainly appreciated). I was introduced to a few customers, but mostly I spent the time talking with a co-worker's wife who is from Columbia and is really interesting.

When it was time to sit down for dinner, I walked over to where I saw some of my familiars settling in. However, on approaching the table, my boss, who's in charge of the whole event, says I should mingle with customers aka strangers and give them a good impression of our company. What??? Just when I was beginning to enjoy myself, I'm told that I must leave my comfort zone!! It's true what they say, there really is no such thing as a free meal.

Reluctantly, I shuffled to the other side of the room, looking for a table where the occupants didn't look too intimidating. I must tell you that this was not an easy task. The room was filled predominately with men. Business men. Old, grouchy, bizarre, dull, awkward men, many of whom host strange, unpleasant odors. I headed to a table in the corner that was only half full and asked a man sitting there if the seat next to him was taken. It wasn't. I sat down, and providentially, within 30 seconds one of the few women in the room sat down next to me.

She was the wife of one of the men at the conference, and she was amazing. I talked to almost everyone at the large round table of course, but for the most part, I listened to the stories of the woman sitting next to me. Estimating ages has never been my strongest skill, but I'd guess she was in her mid to late 60's. She and her husband met in college, fell in love, and it was obvious to me that they are still deeply in love. They had children and went the "traditional" family route, but they also accomplished highly impressive feats. She started her own company and he a consulting firm, which they merged and now work at successfully together. She's written a series of children's books on teaching manners and respect. They travel constantly, nationally and internationally, and they both have a zest for life (and golf). She used to teach elementary school and she told me stories about her experiences; the exciting and the discouraging. She encouraged me with my future goals as a teacher and told me she could tell I would go far. I've never enjoyed talking with anyone more, and the night flew by. Hours passed and it was time to go home.

As I said goodbye and made my way to my car, I was overflowing with gratitude to no one in particular. How incredible to briefly interact with another person who you know you'll never see again, and to feel you've gained something. When I stop and think about it, I suppose everyone has a story to tell. Although I recognize how rare it is to uncover such a treasure with such ease as I did last night, you never know what stories you might miss out on if you just sit down at the table with the people you know. Dare to venture where you're uncomfortable going.