Making a new friend

by Faultier, 01 April 2026

Today was supposed to be a simple day: just me, at home, working. But yesterday I got the news that there would be a seminar today that I should attend. I also needed to stop by a shop to get a new battery on my watch, but that was a quick and easy thing to do.

Ever since I moved to Italy, most days have been the exact same. I either work all day at home and play some game at night, or I go to the university to work, or I travel somewhere random that I decided to go the day prior. And one thing that I have been missing is reading - I already talked about this before here a few times. So, despite barely speaking the language, I decided to buy something to read on my way to the seminar.

I stopped by the watchmaker's shop about one hour before leaving for the seminar. Right in front of it, there was a newspaper stand, and they sold some books. I took the courage and decided to go there. I saw a couple of books from people like Agatha Christie, but I don't think my current language skills in Italian would allow me to read that. I considered asking the shop owner for a recommendation, but that felt too risky for me - I could buy something more expensive that I wouldn't like, and I could even have issues explaining what I like reading. And then I saw it: a book with classical Disney comics. That's what could help me: easy stories in clear Italian.

So I bought it, and read the first story while waiting for the seminar to start. And at the end, a colleague who I didn't previously know, but had seen before, approached me to introduce himself. He said that he had watched one of my presentations, and wanted to talk more to me. So we went to my office, and he told me that his office was right by mine. And when I told him that I had bought this book, he lent me a bunch of Topolino comics from his collection.

I never expected to make a friend today. But, out of complete nowhere, it happened. Sometimes, life just happens around you. So, if you ever feel afraid of doing something simple, like buying a comic book, just go for it. Don't let your fear stop you from enjoying the little pleasures life has to offer you. You might even make a friend.