I recently arrived at the airport, for a departing flight, early enough to enjoy a sit down meal. As I approached the restaurant, the only one in this small airport, I notice that everyone else appears to have decided to grab lunch as well. I get in line behind several parties to wait my turn to be seated. A couple of women standing in line behind me make a similar observation that the host is seating single parties at tables that can seat four. I remember recently reading an article about restaurants implementing "community" dining tables. Long tables whereby those being seated next are simply given the next seats at the table. Dining with complete strangers in an intimate environment. For those who have dined on a cruise or the dining car of a train, this may not seem so bad. For those that are introverts, such a concept probably makes you squeamish. I am next to be seated. The only table I see available, again sits four. From our brief conversation in line, I know the two women behind me are on considerably tighter schedules now, as am I. I ask the host if the table he intends to seat me at sits four. He confirms that it does. I issue an invitation for the two women to join me at my table if they would like. They gratefully accept.
Upon being seated, our host comments how cool he thinks it is that complete strangers are sharing a table for lunch. He comments that this is only the second time he has ever seen this occur, the first being just the day before. As we make our lunch decisions, we strike up a usual conversation of "So what brings you to town? Where are you flying to today?" etc. They, like me, are on business. One is traveling to Minneapolis, the other, Mississippi. Both work in the field of environmental sciences and are in town for a conference. As we continue our discussion, over lunch, we find we three strangers have more in common than we could have imagined. I was blessed this day by the company at my table, the knowledge I gained, learning that the brown water of Greenville, MS really is safe to drink, and the hope that the brief time we shared together and the act of inviting complete strangers to the table sets an example for others and helps to bring society just that much closer to having never met a stranger.
