CONVERSATIONS

People sometimes assume that what I value most is being told I'm beautiful. Honestly, it's the least interesting compliment I receive. What I actually remember, the things that stay with me long after an evening ends, are the conversations.

I think a great conversation has very little to do with subject matter and everything to do with attention. I can talk about almost anything, art, politics, your terrible flight home, the book you're halfway through and have strong opinions about, and still find it fascinating, provided the person across from me is actually present.

What I notice immediately is whether someone is listening to respond or listening to understand. The first feels like a performance. The second feels like being truly seen, and it's rare enough that when it happens, the whole evening shifts.

I'm naturally curious about people. What drives them. What they think about at two in the morning when they can't sleep. What they would do differently if nobody was watching. These are the questions that actually interest me far more than small talk about the weather or your job title.

A few things that tend to make conversation flow easily, in my experience. Honesty over impressiveness. I would rather hear about something you're genuinely passionate about, even if it sounds unglamorous, than a carefully curated highlight reel. Comfortable silences. Not every gap needs filling. Some of my favourite evenings have included quiet moments where neither of us felt the need to perform. And a willingness to actually ask questions back. Conversation is a two way thing, and the best ones feel like genuine discovery on both sides.

If you're someone who values real conversation as much as I do, I suspect we'll get on rather well.