Conversations to Alter our City
The Penny Coffee Shop, Lethbridge, Alberta
Organizers: Linda Duvall, Mary Kavanagh
What is it? You are invited to join us for conversation
How does it Work? Visitors are seated in such a way that each person carries on a conversation with one other person for 6 – 8 minutes, after which a shift in the seating arrangement allows each guest to meet the next person in the row. The process is repeated every five minutes until you have met 5 different people. These 5 people all love a good conversation.
Why? The basic philosophy of this project is that focused one-to-one conversation with strangers is healthy for a community. There are very few situations in which opportunities for this occur, except in the service industry with its implied hierarchy.
One of the best ways to create understanding across diverse parts of a community is for individuals to actually meet face to face in a friendly, non-adversarial, and equal environment.
Conversation involves an exchange of ideas. Through this exchange, new possibilities emerge.
Conversations with strangers allow all of us to be exposed to new ideas, different perspectives. It broadens our understanding of Lethbridge and its inhabitants.
Possible topics of Discussion – You may want to talk about living in Lethbridge, the weather, art, your cat, or anything else that matters to you.
What do we provide? Five individuals who are eager to join you in private conversation, people who love to converse and to listen. We also provide coffee or tea, a necessary element for a good gab.
Where – The Penny Coffee House 331 5th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta
