Finding a Friend in Unexpected Places
Discovering Shared Birthdays and Building Bonds Beyond Business
Meeting someone who shares the same birthdate and year as you is indeed quite rare, almost like winning the lottery! It's a remarkable coincidence that often leaves one in awe. Interestingly, I experienced this unique encounter for the first time in my life this week.
In my line of work, I frequently engage with our current and potential customers to understand how my team and I can better support them. During a recent two-day trip, I had the pleasure of meeting the head of engineering at a Belgium company based in Vietnam. As is customary, we began by breaking the ice and searching for common ground. First impressions are crucial in business engagements, and finding commonalities helps establish rapport. Being Korean, I often humorously identify myself as being from South Korea to put others at ease.
During our conversation, we discovered that we shared the same birth year, prompting him to reveal his ID card. To my astonishment, we had the exact same birthdate! It sent shivers down my spine - a truly goosebump-inducing moment!
This unexpected connection immediately fostered a sense of camaraderie between us. We delved into discussions about our families and shared anecdotes from our lives. We even made plans for a joint family gathering. Having both Korean and Vietnamese friends seemed like a wonderful idea!
As our conversation deepened, my newfound friend began opening up about some challenges he faced at work. It became clear that our support extended beyond business; it was about helping a friend navigate through their struggles.
In moments like these, one can't help but feel grateful for the unexpected connections life brings. Here's to serendipitous encounters and the friendships they inspire!
God bless you!
