So, I’m in Adelaide and there’s the world’s biggest space expo and exhibition happening alongside a festival of the future and future innovation. I’m in a hotel and eating breakfast by myself. So is more or less everyone else. But my suspicion is that some of these these people eating alone might be rather interesting. There a quite a few astronauts knocking around town for example.
So, here’s my idea. When I check into a hotel (or onto a flight for that matter) instead of asking whether I’d like a smoking or non-smoking room or equivalent, why can’t I be asked whether I’d like to meet someone new or perhaps ask me who I am and what I’m interested in and try to pair me with someone for breakfast or whatever.
The bar areas in American restaurants are exactly for that reason. When I’m travelling in the US I try to sit at the bar, where it’s much easier to strike up a conversation. It’s certainly easier than looking like a weirdo talking to strangers at a regular table.