I just returned from a conference in Greece (I know, I know – the sacrifices I make for work). I expected the mind-blowing Acropolis views to be the highlight of this trip. But while casually waving at the Parthenon during coffee breaks was definitely a highlight, it was the unexpected moments of connection with colleagues from around the world that really made this trip special.
Sure, I could have caught the main sessions online, but can Zoom replicate the experience of my Australian colleague force-feeding me “the world’s greatest sweets” every 30 minutes? I think not. And while pigeons can apparently distinguish between a Picasso and a Monet (seriously, you can read all about it here), they can’t appreciate the delicate art of navigating a cross-cultural conversation conducted primarily through charades.
For example, our wonderfully hospitable Greek hosts, enthusiastically declared their mission was to “pleasure us during our stay.” My British colleague and I spent the rest of the evening meticulously avoiding eye contact and desperately trying not to dissolve into giggles. (Sometimes sharing the same twisted sense of humour can be dangerous in professional settings.) Or my Korean dinner companion, with whom I conducted a fascinating dialogue using mostly hand gestures. Or the tears of laughter with my Chilean colleague as I butchered yet another translation.
These moments? Pure gold. Unreplicable. Unzoomable.
All this IRL interaction made me curious about the why, so I did some digging and found some fun facts:
- People used to say “prunes” instead of “cheese” when taking photos (because nothing says “joy” like constipation awareness)
- Face-to-face requests are 34 times more effective than emails (so maybe stop sending those passive-aggressive “per my last email” messages)
- A handshake activates the same brain centres as chocolate (though I still prefer the chocolate)
- In-person socialising, even for just a few minutes, has been shown to significantly boost well-being. (So, those coffee breaks and hallway chats aren’t just procrastination – they’re essential for a happy brain!)
- When you smile, part of someone else’s brain smiles too (it’s like a neural party)
- People appear more attractive in groups (aka the “Cheerleader Effect” – yes, that’s the actual scientific term)
- Anxious people benefit more from social interactions (finally, a perk of being perpetually nervous!)
So while Big Ambitions will stay proudly remote (because, let’s face it, traffic is nobody’s friend), I’m carrying a renewed appreciation for these irreplaceable in-person moments. And about three kilos of Australian sweets.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to expense those sweets as “crucial research materials.”
Mindful Musings
What the world was musing over this past week
Florence says “Ciao” to tourist chaos
Florence just banned tourist golf carts, loud tour guides, and, um, key boxes? Looks like the Renaissance city is going back to basics (and maybe hiding everyone’s keys under a rock).
Swedish minister has gone bananas (Or rather, anti-bananas)
Forget diplomatic immunity, a Swedish minister’s staff demands banana immunity. Leaked emails reveal an unusual pre-meeting requirement: banana-free zones.
Don’t let Trump ruin your next 4 years: cruise away!
Can’t stand another four years of Trump? This cruise company feels you. They’re offering a “Four-Year Skip Forward” package—because who needs democracy when you have unlimited buffets?
Twitter’s (aka X) secret weapon returns to haunt it
Remember Twitter’s abandoned decentralisation project? It just nabbed 1M users in a week. Now flying solo, Bluesky’s winning over the old-school Twitter crowd with algorithm-free feeds and zero drama. Looks like X’s forgotten child might be social’s next big shake-up.
Move over sphinx, there’s a new dog in town
Egypt’s stray dogs are having their moment, thanks to a viral video that’s changing how tourists see Giza’s ancient wonders. These local ‘pyramid pups’ are now drawing crowds, boosting businesses, and turning an age-old problem into an unexpected attraction.
