This week is National Conversation week, I am playing along and have found it to be rather rewarding. I have had several conversations this week, that I would not have had. For example, a rather tired and (seemingly) sullen electrician came to fix my fuse board this week and where normally I would quickly offer them a cup tea/coffee in the hope that they would say no, so that I could continue in earnest at whatever it was, I was doing. I stopped and asked him how his day was going. I discovered that his wife was on the brink of a nervous breakdown or committing some heinous crime (it sounded more like the latter), towards their daughter who it was revealed, is having difficulty understanding a few rules (this is as delicate as I can put it). His mother on the other hand, has been a little free with her words, and has now cast the family back to pre-history times when humans communicated through grunts (some of you with teenage kids may be experiencing this phenomenon). After exchanging a few words ensuring him that he was not alone, and offering him a cup coffee, we parted laughing and with a feeling of being a little more connected.
At the end of our drama workshops we like to give the children a little bit of homework. We ask them to talk to their teachers, friends and families about what they have learnt, because learning doesn’t start and stop in the classroom, it is reinforced and enjoyed through conversation!
So, the next time you ask someone ‘How is your day?’ Put the kettle on…
CREW