There are ten minutes between the History of Sub-Saharan Africa class in Tech and Philosophy of Cyberspace in Kresge. You’re walking down Sheridan with a mission. As you power-walk, dodging oncoming bikers (isn’t there a law against biking on the sidewalks?) and attempting to determine the socially acceptable way to pass the slow-moving trio ahead on the right, Lil’Wheezy rasps through your headphones. What happens next is the single most common interaction between students at Northwestern.
Straight ahead is someone you know. Whether you met them in your freshman seminar, a Chemistry lab, or under more raunchy circumstances at the Keg, you can recall the first and last name and at least one defining characteristic of the person at 12 o’clock. You know them.
Your reaction?
You look up, you look down. Then, without a second thought, you scan the inbox of your Blackberry or turn the little wheel on your iPod until the situation- and the acquaintance-has passed. Whomever it was that you could have easily identified has come and gone and you escaped the burden of having to utter “hi.”
The power of acknowledgement is great- it is incredible how much can hinge on the mere recognition of another human being. As my high school theology teacher said, “The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s apathy.” Googling it now, I see that this is a well-established quote that my teacher took credit for. Regardless, he had a point.
Sometimes love is best expressed by a smile from a stranger or a drawn out “Hey!” from an old friend. I have several greeting-based relationships on campus: ones that consist only of saying “Hi, How are you?” and occasionally a two-minute convo. It’s amazing how even those little interactions can brighten your day and make you feel a little more welcome amid a student body of 9,000. Thus, this week’s list is not just a compilation of small, meaningful acknowledgements, but also of suggestions for how we can each cure ourselves of our self-diagnosed acquaintance amnesia and unite as an NU community. Here are some encounters I’m grateful for:
1. Sympathetic smiles
When someone sees you try your Wild CARD in the card reader six times with no luck or watches you push the door that reads “pull,” an understanding smile can make a world of difference.
2. Reunions
One of the perks of a community of over-achieving, ambitious students is the widespread involvement of the student body. This means that there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people from various groups or experiences. I am so grateful to have participated in Alternative Student Breaks, Wildcat Welcome, Dance Marathon and service trips over vacations. But after these experiences end, so too, sometimes, do the friendships. I propose instead of striking flint with exclamations of “We should hang out soon!” we hold a few more reunions and keep the friendship fire burning.
3. Dinner with 12 Strangers
This seven-year Northwestern tradition hosted by the alumni association in November allows you to sit down for a meal with eleven students chosen at random. It’s an exciting change of pace, a good meal and a chance to make a new friend (whom you will then acknowledge on campus!).
4. Introductions
Sometimes the best way to transition from “random-person-at-the-printer” to “new friend” is by exchanging names. Introduce yourself and see what happens.
5. Chats with nuCuisine Employees
We are so fortunate to have amazing staff with nuCuisine. Whether it’s a shout of “It’s Friday!” in Allison Dining Hall on Friday mornings or an offer of extra whip cream at Norbucks, the workers do so much for us and are wonderful people to get to know.
Maeve Wall is a Weinberg junior.
She can be reached at [email protected]
