SXSW: Taco Tuesday & the Magic of Recommendations
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It’s human nature to share stories of experiences. At least, it’s in mine. And this week at SXSW in Austin is absolutely no different.
See, there is a burden of choice here. So. Much. Awesome. Content. Even for those of us without a badge, for those like me who are here for the communal experience itself.
In chance and unplanned encounters the last couple days, I have participated in many conversations that have included the question: “What have you seen here that you would recommend to a friend?”
I ended up at the Midwest House yesterday with a gang of mobility lovers like me on a recommendation from a stranger I ran into at the VW ID BUZZ stop Sunday.
It’s when recommendations come from closer relationships than strangers that magic really starts to happen for me.
I recall a recommendation from a friend early last summer, as I was planning my August in Paris. “See if you can get a ticket to L’Atelier des Lumières”, Linda had sent me in a text message, amongst other things to do in Paris.
It was one of the most memorable experiences of my trip. “Wasn’t it wonderfully done?”, she had remarked upon my report back. Indeed it was. As proceeded to revisit each of our individual visits, together, we got to relive it in our collective memories. Magic.
Yesterday, Stacey caught one of my posts on social and reached out with her own recommendation: “Caroline, I insist, please check out Veracruz.” When I realize that Veracruz is a taco joint upon a quick Google search, my heart flutters. She GETS me! And if my foodie and fierce friend Stacey is recommending a restaurant, it’s gonna be good. It's one of those things I know for sure.
To the receivers of recommendations, my call to action is: take them! And take care in closing the loop with your recommenders - this is where the magic really shows up.
I sent Stacey a quick pic as I was approaching the Veracruz window to pick up my call ahead order for Taco Tuesday.
I could feel the excitement in our subsequent exchange. All love. All good vibes for sharing in the excitement of giving and receiving the gift of a great recommendation. She gave, I took, and I closed the loop to create the circular exchange that makes the magic.
And the tacos 👌🏼.
To the recommenders, keep recommending. Without you sharing those stories of your experiences, the magic is impossible to make.
In fact, I just recommended Schwartz and Mont-Royal to a couple I met at lunch that is headed to Montreal this summer. Bon voyage!
I live for this kind of experiential connection. Especially when it comes to 🌮 ♥️.