Friends Around the World
“Instant Friends” (Finland)
by
Frank Deaver, Tuscaloosa Rotary Club
In a
world of instant coffee and tea, instant soup and oatmeal, Rotarians
have access to the ultimate instant—instant friendships. And in a
world in which people tend to treat each other with some distance,
if not suspicion, Rotarians who meet Rotarians break down those
barriers instantly.
The Rotary pin is the magic key that opens new relationships.
In a strange land, even with a seemingly impenetrable language
barrier, the miniature Rotary wheel on one lapel seems magnetically
attracted to the lapels of others wearing the same emblem.
During a sabbatical semester from my teaching duties at The
University of Alabama, I was researching characteristics of the
media in Scandinavian countries. For two days, I had been trying to
get an appointment with the editor of a daily newspaper in Helsinki,
Finland—only to be repeatedly put off by a secretary who was doing
her assigned task of protecting the executive’s time.
Then came Thursday, and according to my Clubs Directory the day
for the Helsinki Rotary Club to meet. Hungry for Rotary fellowship
as well as for lunch, I found the designated place, signed in as a
visiting Rotarian, and relished the new friendships around one of
the tables.
When guests were recognized, I was introduced as a journalism
professor from the United States, and along with other guests, stood
and received the members’ applause of welcome.
At the end of the meeting, a gentleman from another table
rushed to greet me, saying he was anxious to visit with this
journalism colleague. I immediately recognized from his name badge
that this was the newspaper editor I had been trying to see.
“Of course,” I said, “I know your name and that of your paper.
In fact, I’ve been wanting to meet you and learn from you more about
your paper, and about the media of Finland.”
“Then come,” he said, “let’s go back to my office for a visit,
a tour of our facilities, and some coffee.”
As we walked into his office, past his efficient secretary who
had turned me away only hours earlier, I tried very hard to conceal
any appearance of smug satisfaction. After all, she was not a
Rotarian. How could she know the “instant friendship” that
characterizes our fellowship?
Now, however, years later and after the increasing inclusion of
women into executive positions and into Rotary, it just might be
that she also has come to know the quality of “instant friendship”
that characterizes Rotary. |
