I was out for dinner with some friends at a Turkish Restaurant a few nights ago.

We were trying decide what to order and noticed two gentlemen next to us eating a colourful tomato dish.

We asked amongst ourselves what it was on the menu but where none the wiser. I suggested we asked the men, but as with many people, for my friends the idea of interrupting absolute strangers and asking them what they where eating was not the way forwards.

That’s not me though. I’ve found it’s the quickest way to get answers, especially if we are genuinely interested in what others do, most people are more than happy to share.
So I leant over and asked. One of the guys not only told me what was in the dish, he passed it over and insisted we all try some.
Not only that, shortly after a dish arrived at our table with the exact same dish. The waiter said ‘this is not on the menu.

The gentleman you spoke to was the head chef here and asked us to make it especially for you, on his tab.’
The kindness of strangers. It pays to talk.
It’s easy – and I’m as guilty as anyone of judging others, of making assumptions, using stereotypes and prejudices, but I find the best way to prove myself wrong is to talk and find out about the individual and not be bound by certain restrictions like talking to people I don’t know!