I hate networking!!

So I got a Ticket to the World Cup soccer. Not just any old Ticket, but a Ticket with corporate hospitality lounge access.

In addition to this, I also received a goodie box which contained an authentic Adidas Bafana t-shirt, a matching long-sleeved thermal top, a warm Adidas Bafana scarf, a hat and the FIFA History of the World Cup book all packed into an SA Flag drawstring bag. This was couriered to me a day before the event by one the major cellular companies in SA who sent my company a ticket. The ultimate viewing pleasure, in private and secure lounges, with waitress service, food, drinks, air-con, flat-screen TV's, comfy seating, lovely bathrooms and loads more complete luxury (for a stadium that is).You walk a few meters from your dining area, open large patio doors and your seats are right there! AWESOME isn't it!

Well, not quite. It sucked! I was miserable! Purely because I had no one to share it with! I actually didn't even really watch the soccer. I left!

The fact that I hate networking has nothing to do with it really. The other invited guests were not really my type. I felt young; well I was really young compared to them. I felt like the odd-one-out because they were all drinking Budweiser's and god-knows what else from the free bar while I was sipping on a glass of water. The other folk in the hospitality lounge were all super-rich British and other foreign nationals. Actually I don't really know for sure but flippin hell of course they are extremely wealthy because not everyone can book tickets for the hospitality area. I heard people saying perhaps we'll even see the royals. Prince's William and Harry was also at the match.

But how can one really, truly enjoy such a magical experience alone? I love solitude! I love going out on my own! But experiencing the Soccer World Cup in our country is a once in a lifetime event but boy is it awful being alone, surrounded by snooty, high and mighty people who don't even really care about the soccer or anyone else for that matter!

After that night I realized that no amount of money and no amount of luxury can ever bring ME happiness!

I grabbed my SA Flag bag and jacket and took the lift down to the lobby and exited out of the glass doors with several security guards and dressed-up hosts ushering me out with their big smiles and ready to lend a hand look. What a relief to be free! I rather wished I had a seat with the normal people. I would've traded the lavishness for just two regular seats for me and my husband in an instant.

So, I reiterate MONEY WON'T BUY HAPPINESS! Sure, when I first got offered the Ticket, a part of me was excited and I jumped to accept the opportunity. Just like when one gets offered free samples, or when there's a buy 1 get 1 free special etc. I didn't really think about the actual experience and whether it would bring me satisfaction. It clearly didn't. Not being able to share it with anyone that matters to me made the whole event completely meaningless!

Although I think I was supposed to represent my company and that was one of the reasons for me being there. Sadly it became impossible for me to function whole-heartedly and perform the job I intended to do when I felt the way I did. "If you are not enjoying it - leave! Seriously, people will sense that you are not at ease and will not want to get bogged down talking to you!" (Taken from the article "Why I hate Networking Events")

Anyway, while I walked to the Waterfront and passed all the people with their different accents and facial features I felt proud of our country, of my city - Cape Town for bringing them all here and accommodating them. I smiled while watching all the Englishmen singing and being merry as they walked towards the stadium to watch their country play. I was dumbfounded; I have never seen so many happy people. The streets were filled with joy! It's wonderful, it really is!

I walked on and joined the two people who bring me joy and when I first saw them after leaving the stadium I felt safe and secure. Opulence is not the most important thing in the world. Love is….

"The amount of happiness that you have
depends on the amount of freedom you have in your heart."
~ Thich Nhat Hanh (Buddhist monk)