When I talk about quality, I’m usually referring to how good a product is or how good the service is, especially when I’m talking about my favorite diner or cafe. But I’ll bet you never thought about how the good food and service you get at your favorite eatery can help you make friends.

You’re probably thinking I’m crazy, but I really believe that good food and service set the scene for friendships. It’s true: Provide a nice place to sit, give me good food and service, and friends happen.

Several years ago in December I went to the Panera Bread Co. in Orion, Michigan, for my favorite morning cinnamon roll and coffee. While there I had occasion to address several Christmas cards. As I was enjoying my cinnamon roll and inscribing messages in the cards, a fellow at an adjacent table asked me if I was filling out a card for him. A strange question, and yet it started a conversation about Christmas cards and the upcoming holidays. As it turned out, he was also a retired banker, and we spent the next 10 minutes or so discussing our banking careers.

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