We have a Friday night ritual we look forward to every week.

 

Homemade burgers and hot chips from the chicken shop around the corner.

 

While Kaci prepares the homemade burgers, it’s my role to collect the hot chips from the chicken shop.

 

I’ve turned this ritual into a little game.

 

My intention when I go there is to spark up a conversation with one of the other customers.

 

This place is always thriving on a Friday evening so there’s plenty of people to talk to.

 

Last Friday I ordered the regular, “just a small chips with chicken salt thanks” and sat down on the bench next to an older woman. 

 

I didn’t feel like sparking up a convo. 

 

My energy felt depleted. 

 

Plus, the woman I sat next to was busy staring at her phone. 

 

But I could tell she was just trying to distract herself from the awkwardness of sitting in the shop waiting for her food to be prepared.

 

We’re all a little guilty of this at times aren’t we?

 

We’d rather stand in line mindlessly staring at the apps on our phone praying to God we have a message or notification to respond to instead of simply sitting with our thoughts or better yet – connecting with someone else who’s also waiting in line. 

 

“Maybe I’ll skip this week…” 

 

But as I sat there twiddling my thumbs, I found the courage to spark a convo.

 

I leaned over slightly in her direction and pointed at the menu,

 

 

Smooth Daniel, smooth.  

 

She turned to me with a small smile and shared, “a quarter chicken and chips”. 

 

“Is this a ritual for you?” – I followed up. 

 

“Yeah” – she said. 

 

“We come here every Friday night – and if we’re busy on Friday night we get our fix on a Sunday night!” 

 

(The chips here are damn good here so I wasn’t surprised)

 

I told the woman about the Friday night ritual Kaci and I have. 

 

In this short exchange we built a genuine connection over something we both loved. 

 

 

My number was called out by the girl working at the front.

 

I stood up and grabbed our brown box of salty goodness.

 

As I walked out the shop, the woman I connected with gave me a big smile and wished me a nice evening. 

 

This small exchange put a massive smile on both our faces.

 

I felt energised as I walked out the shop and drove home. 

 

And I know she felt the same way too.  

 

 

 

 

I’ll be heading back to the chicken shop tonight to pick up our hot chips with chicken salt.

 

I wonder what convo I’ll strike up tonight? 

Have a great weekend,