How Lunch with Someone New Every Day Works Better Than Going to a Networking Event

Key Takeaways

• Casual, everyday lunch conversations often create more authentic connections than traditional networking events.

• Building relationships through shared meals in natural settings helps professionals exchange ideas and support without forced agendas.

It started with something simple — choosing not to sit alone in the food court. One day, I joined someone new at lunch, and the conversation turned into advice I didn’t know I needed. Soon, lunch became less about food and more about discovery. This blog explores why those unplanned, everyday encounters often matter more than a name badge at a big event.

Why natural lunches beat organized events

Most networking events are designed for volume: meet as many people as possible in a short span. But what happens? You leave with business cards, a handful of LinkedIn connections, and very little that feels genuine.

Contrast that with the moments that happen in your daily lunch break. Sitting down with a colleague from another department, joining a group in the food court, or simply striking up a conversation while waiting for your order. No agenda. No pressure. Just people being people.

These conversations often lead to insights you would never hear in a formal setting — advice about handling a client, a tip about an opportunity, or even just encouragement when you need it most.

The value of spontaneous connections

• Authenticity: Nobody is there to pitch. The conversations are real.

• Shared experience: Food has a way of lowering barriers and opening people up.

• Unexpected outcomes: The most useful advice often comes from people you didn’t plan to meet.

My personal experience

When I started choosing not to eat alone, everything shifted. One day I sat next to someone I barely knew, and by the end of lunch I had learned about a training program that later helped me advance. Another time, I shared a table with someone new and discovered we had a mutual contact who introduced me to a client.

None of this was planned. That’s the beauty — the spontaneity makes it memorable and meaningful.

How to make the most of natural lunch encounters

1. Be open to joining others: Don’t always stick to the same group — say yes when someone new invites you over.

2. Ask genuine questions: “How’s your day going?” can open bigger doors than “What do you do?”

3. Listen more than you speak: You’d be surprised what people share when they feel heard.

4. Follow up naturally: If something clicks, keep the conversation going the next time you bump into them — no pressure needed.

Why this works better than networking events

Networking events can feel forced; everyone is there to exchange something. Everyday lunches, on the other hand, feel human. People are more relaxed, more present, and more likely to share something valuable.

It’s not about the number of contacts you collect, but the quality of the conversations you remember.

A final thought

The next time you grab lunch at the office food court, resist the urge to sit alone or scroll on your phone. Sit with someone new. The conversation you have over a sandwich may bring more value than an entire evening spent at a networking event.

How Virtualez Can Help

Building relationships takes time, and while casual lunches create meaningful connections, managing the rest of your workload can be overwhelming. Virtualez offers virtual assistant services across major cities in Canada and the United States — including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago. From handling back-office tasks to managing your follow-ups and internal processes, our virtual assistants free up your day so you can focus on what matters most: creating genuine human connections.

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