Meeting People

When it comes to meeting people, I lead a charmed life. Whether it's because of shared schedules, lifestyles or just bumping into some pretty cool people in public... it's always seemed to happen to me. What fun.

Years ago, while Debi and I were still dating, she took me to the Greek Theater for a famous Ballet Troupe- think it was the Bolshoi with Rudolf Nuryev (sp?)-couldn't begin to imagine why anyone would take me to the ballet, but it was cool and we were together.

We had great seats and sitting right in front of us were Cary Grant and his daughter. One of those times when you're so close to someone so famous but you hate to stare or break in on their evening. I openly admit to becoming bored at some point in the performance and not returning from intermission as quickly as I should have. Suddenly, I found myself standing in line for a coke next to the man himself. Now just inches apart and outside the confines of seats, etc... I introduced myself- thinking it was a one time shot, what did I have to lose?

Mr. Grant greeted me warmly, began to talk about the performance and then incredibly asked about ME! I was stunned. We spent a few minutes shooting the breeze in the plaza area. He was so much bigger than I imagined. Handsome as all get out, wearing a tux... maybe the one in the picture above... but older then in the picture... and friendly... or maybe he wasn't so hot on ballet either. In my memory it seems we spent the next ten or fifteen minutes talking, but it may have only been five. When we returned to our seats he aknowledged us behind him. It felt great.

Thirty years and so many other introductions later, I still remember, and still occasionally get that "star struck" feeling. But Mr. Grant taught me an important lesson: people are just people- period. He was a normal guy, interested in normal stuff and more than happy to shoot the breeze with a kid in his twenties out on a date. It's a great lesson in life and it's helped remind me to always treat everyone; famous or not, wealthy or not, the same- just normal people.

Meeting people- we do it every day -next time you do, take the time to ask about them, spend some unexpected moments in conversation. You could build a memory that'll last a lifetime.

blessings,

Eric