
Tom Rosenthal talks to strangers on park benches, often leading to surprising revelations.
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A
Hello. Sorry to bother you. Can I ask you a slightly odd question? I'm making a podcast called Strangers on a Bench, where essentially I talk to people I don't know on benches for 10 or 15 minutes. Are you up for that? Do you want to give it a. What's your favorite day of the week?
B
I think it's Saturday, but when I was younger, it was Thursday because of the anticipation of Friday approaching.
A
Yeah, but not anymore. Are you saying you're not young?
B
Well, I was in school back then.
A
What were you like in the school?
B
I was good, but I don't like studying that much, so I was more outside playing with my friends.
A
If I say to you, try and think of one school memory that stayed with you, what would that be? What comes out straight away?
B
I think it would be in my university, starting my radio show in the radio club. That was fun. I remember enjoying that moment, entering the studio, making my first program.
A
Nice. The first time, were you presenting it?
B
Yeah.
A
Were you nervous?
B
I was, yeah. But it went pretty good. So after the first two minutes, I wasn't nervous anymore.
A
In other times in your life when you've been nervous, how do you overcome your nerves? What are your tactics?
B
Well, I think I'm a pretty calm person by nature, so I don't have difficulty in that aspect. For example, at my job, I am expected to do some things with a very short notice in front of a lot of people, and I just focus on the thing that I need to do. I don't think about any other aspect that could make me nervous.
A
That's very sensible.
B
Yeah.
A
So does that mean it doesn't happen anymore? You just don't get nervous?
B
No, I don't. Wow.
A
Can you think of anything that would make you nervous? I mean, any, you know.
B
Yes. Asking to strangers, sitting on a bench if they would like to speak to me. I find such meetings a bit nervous.
A
Well, you're doing well so far. You're absolutely fine.
B
No, no, I'm only nervous when I'm on your shoes.
A
Oh, I see. When you're approaching people. I see, I see, I see. Exactly. So you said Saturday is your favorite day of the week. Can you talk me through from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep? Your idea of the ideal day, your perfect day.
B
Yeah. So the ideal Saturday would start partying after midnight, dancing with my friends. Okay.
A
So we're starting the day at midnight. That day. Yeah.
B
It's technically Saturday.
A
You're right. Okay. And so you're dancing into Saturday.
B
Going home with Someone I enjoy spending time in bed and then waking up with a lover.
A
You mean a lover?
B
Yeah. Making love in the morning.
A
Perfect.
B
Having a good breakfast at home. I like making turkey sausages for breakfast. And then my ideal Saturday would be a sunny Saturday.
A
Yeah, like today.
B
Yeah. Going out for a walk, sitting by the canal, drinking coffee, chatting. And then. I mean, it's hard to pick from the options that the day could evolve into, but yeah, seeing friends or maybe attending an exhibition or a plan that I've been looking up to for a few days. And then going out again in the. In the evening.
A
The double. The double. They call that burning the candle at both ends. Have you heard that expression?
B
That's what I will do this weekend because I need to start my night shift on Sunday evening so I have to party until the morning on Friday and Saturday so that I could start waking up a bit later and then start my work at 10pm on Sunday. Wow.
A
So you're going to be starting to work at 10pm on Sunday?
B
Yeah, for a week. I'll be working from 10pm till 6am wow.
A
I've got a few questions about your partying first. Then remember the night shift. Come on into the night shift life. So, parties, partying, dancing. What kind of dancer are you?
B
I'm not a crazy dancer. No, I just close my eyes and flow with the music.
A
Nice.
B
I don't have any like special moves or anything.
A
I just not like cutting the bread, whatever.
B
No, no.
A
You touch the eyes closed.
B
Yeah, sometimes.
A
Have you ever bumped into anyone?
B
No, but people have bumped me.
A
Yes, the people have bumped you.
B
Because my eyes were closed, I wasn't able to evade them.
A
I like it. So people have bumped into you? Yeah, I like that thinking. And they're lucky. And they're lucky if they do. Can you dance without any. What do you call it, Enhassers? Yes. Thank you, thank you. Thank you for saving me. There I was trying to figure out what.
B
Yes, I do. And I like it. For example, in the weekend when I wake up. Not the most ideal Saturday, but if I wake up alone, then while preparing breakfast, I put on some music, I dance, I enjoy dancing to myself.
A
Fantastic. But it helps.
B
It makes it more fun. But without enhancers. It's still fun.
A
Yeah, this is. This is a very good point. And so you say you like to have a lover in the morning. Is this like a new lover every time?
B
No, same lover.
A
I mean, how many goes do they get?
B
Doesn't have to be new or the same. It depends on my life at that point. But I think having someone whom I have a bit more connection, whom I know better, feels better than just waking up with someone random.
A
That makes perfect sense. So it's good to have been dancing with them before, right?
B
Yeah. Yeah.
A
Can you think of the best ever or most memorable dancing experience in your life? A moment that stands out on that dance floor?
B
Well, there are many. I don't know, maybe the most recent one.
A
Yeah. Okay, tell me. Tell me the most recent one.
B
We were in Fabric in the beginning of January. There was a good dj.
A
Fabric is a club?
B
Yes, In London.
A
What kind of club is it? Just describe it for people who wouldn't know.
B
So it's a very big building with three different rooms, and we were in one of the larger rooms and there was a DJ performing, coming from Turkey, actually.
A
Are Turkish DJs good?
B
Yes, they are. And this is one of the older ones. He's around 60. He was famous even in 90s. Yeah. And they played until the morning. I was with a very good crowd of friends. It was the moment which I felt most joyful since my breakup with my partners. And I felt so happy, I just turned around and told all my friends that this is the day which made me feel so good after my breakups.
A
Oh, wonderful.
B
Yeah. It had been three months in between.
A
So do you think dancing helped you over that line?
B
Yeah, I think dancing helps with many bad feelings in life. Sometimes our physical motions or physical exercises affect our moods, like doing sports. Sports or dancing. Yeah, it definitely helps.
A
Before that moment, before you felt like, I feel better now. What was those three months like for you?
B
It was hard. Both of the breakups weren't expected, so one of them came out of the blue, and the other one was a relationship which I thought it would last lifelong, but in a relatively short period of time, it just collapsed. And it was a hard three months.
A
So you say, if you don't mind me asking, there was breakups?
B
Yeah.
A
So two.
B
Yeah. I'm fully amorous. And I had two partners years back then. One of them for three years, the other one, one and a half years, so.
A
Oh, wow.
B
Yeah.
A
And did they. I mean, lots of questions now, obviously. So they broke up with you at different times? They didn't. They didn't come together.
B
No.
A
And decide, look, we're just gonna. We're gonna leave this guy. They had a summit. They had a meeting. No. So it's a set, just separately of one another.
B
Yeah.
A
Do they know each other?
B
Yeah, they know each other. They. They met through me and became good Friends as well.
A
Fantastic.
B
And there was one month in between the two breakups.
A
How does one cope with. I mean, really. Maybe a silly question, but kind of. Is two people breaking up with you different from one?
B
Yes, it is, because then you experience two heartbreaks. Yeah, double hop.
A
Yeah, good point.
B
Polyamory is fun when things are going good because, you know, everything is doubled or tripled. But when things go bad, it can be similarly doubled.
A
What do you like? Like what is a double pained? You like, you know, you talked about your dream day before. Like, what is your pain day look like?
B
I go out for a long walks or runs. I try to distract myself from the thoughts that's making me sad. I go out with friends or chat with them or drink with them, go on holidays. Just keep myself busy and not focus on the bad feelings that I have in me. You need time in these kind of situations and only time can heal such wounds. And you have to wait patiently. There isn't much else.
A
What do you think people don't really understand about polyamory? What bit of it do you think is invisible to most people?
B
Let me think. It's a hard question because there are many things that are good, but now you're asking about one which is most invisible. Okay, okay. I found something. The joy of sharing is not something people think about. For example, one of my partner was telling me that, you know, you are such a beautiful human being, I want everyone to get to know you closer. So she was feeling happy when I was meeting with new people, having fun experiences with them because she was sharing something. That's why she told me so. I haven't heard this aspect from anyone else and I think this might be one of the hidden ones, but probably not for everyone because lots of people see jealousy as a token of love. And they are brought up in a way that they think they have to be jealous and show this jealousy. And if one of the partners isn't jealous, then it means that they don't love the other one. Then it would be harder for them to be in such a relationship.
A
How have you learned to deal with jealousy? Because it's something that lots of people struggle with. There must be a process to that somehow. There must be a kind of way of making your brain think or training yourself somehow.
B
Well, that training must have happened before I remember, or when I was much younger, because I was feeling like this even in my first relationship. And I had this problem with my first girlfriend. She started thinking, I don't love her because I'm not showing jealousy and that led to a breakup, actually. But, yeah, even in my first relationship, I was questioning why we have to be with one person only.
A
What would you say to people who. Let's imagine someone's listening to this. One of the three listeners. That'd be good.
B
I'll be one of them.
A
Yeah, yeah.
B
Two other people.
A
So one of the three listeners is listening. Maybe they're in a relationship where both parties were potentially open to the idea of being polyamorous. What would you say to them to help them give it a go?
B
Having open communication about their feelings and expectations is very important. Even more important than monogamous relationships in which some of them last decades without proper communication. It's impossible in this setting. Try to talk about your boundaries and your expectations and your feelings, and if something is making you feel hurt, just process what it is, understand, and then share it with the other person so that they know instead of just keeping it in yourself and making it turn into a grudge or broken heart.
A
That's very wise. Do you feel like there's a kind of a societal shift towards polyamory? Do you feel like you're part of something that's growing and should grow? Do you think it should grow?
B
Yeah, I think it should grow. Because today's relationship frameworks and marriage frameworks, etcetera, I don't think they suit human nature. They are social constructs that were built in a different age. Now we are living in a different era. But this is something which are taught to us from a very early age. So it takes time and effort to think differently, and I think it's growing. One of my friends living in Berlin, she said, I just don't have any monogamous friends anymore. I can't find anyone.
A
No one.
B
It's rare, especially among younger people. I think it's growing more because they are more open to change and trying new things, and their thoughts aren't shaped by the society for decades, maybe only one decade.
A
What do your parents think?
B
So when I told it to my mom, she was sad. And I asked, why are you sad? And she said, well, you know, I had different wishes about you. And I said, what? And she said, I was hoping that you would get married and have children. And 10 years ago, when she was thinking that I was monogamous, I already told her that I don't want to get married or have children, so it has nothing to do with my polyamory. Well, I'm not sure if she got the message, because after that, we haven't spoke about this.
A
She doesn't approve, basically, no, she doesn't.
B
Appeal, but I don't care.
A
You're not trying to change her mind?
B
No. I mean, I've sent her some articles from feminist or queer journals about what polyamory is and how this term came to be and why people are preferring this, but I don't know if she has read it or if she agrees.
A
What about father?
B
No, I don't tell him. I only told my mother because she asked me. So if my father asks me, I would tell him as well. But we are living in two different countries, so I don't share every detail of my life with them anymore.
A
Of course. Are they good parents?
B
Yeah. I feel very, very lucky. When I was a child, I didn't know how lucky I was because I was just thinking that everyone's parents must be the same. But as I grow up, as I hear horrible stories from my friends, from the society, I understood how lucky I have been.
A
What did your parents do? Well, do you think with you for what you did?
B
They didn't try to force me do the things that they want. They provided me space to have my own decisions. And of course, when you're a teenager, some of the decisions are wrong, and then you have big discussions about them. But if you learn from your wrong decisions, they are also valuable. So giving me freedom and respecting me are the answers to your question.
A
That's lovely. Can you think of a moment of luck that you go back to most? You think it's the one that really changed your life?
B
Does it have to be pure luck or just a moment which changed my life?
A
Oh, yeah, I suppose it could. Well, I tried to do two questions in one. I was greedy. I was greedy. Okay, let's do a moment that's changed your life.
B
Moving to London is the thing that changed my life the most in the last 10 years.
A
What kind of person is London? You as in what. What emerged?
B
I feel like I got to know myself better and embrace who I am and be more open about myself to the others. And I think living in a city like this affects it, definitely, because in some other countries or cities, the way you are forced to live or the way the city is built gives you a more defensive mindset. And then you are more focused on protecting yourself rather than being open and also sometimes vulnerable.
A
I see. So it got rid of some defenses and made you more open, just generally. Is that what we're getting from that? I'm guessing it's Italy.
B
No.
A
No. You're not Italian. Oh, no. I felt like it was Italy.
B
Yeah. You are not the only one.
A
Oh, no. Okay, that's. I feel really bad now.
B
No, don't feel bad.
A
Should I keep guessing?
B
You can. Yeah, I will count your guesses.
A
Okay. Let's look at you. Had a good feeling about it. Is it close?
B
Yes, it is.
A
Switzerland?
B
No, it's the first time I heard Swiss.
A
By the way, I don't know if they were close. Portugal?
B
No.
A
What could this be? Cyprus?
B
No, but we are getting closer.
A
Greece?
B
No, but we are getting even closer.
A
Fuck, what's those degrees?
B
Your geography teacher isn't listening to this.
C
What?
A
Close to Greece? Greece only has four neighbors and it's one of them.
B
Yes.
A
I'm thinking of Eurovision now. That is where I get my geography. Really? Who votes for Greece? Not like Albania.
B
No.
A
I don't even know if Albanian neighbors. Greece.
B
They are.
A
Oh, good. Okay, there we go. I gotta take my Geography wins. Christ, what's next to Albania? Oh, so it's not. Is it Turkey?
B
Yes. Okay, your eighth guess is the correct one.
A
And you went to see a Turkish dj. You did give some clues. Yeah, that's silly me. So what do you miss about Turkey?
B
Weather.
A
Oh, yeah. But it's sunny today.
B
Well, it is, but it happens once a month.
A
Makes it more special. Yeah.
B
Apart from weather, the nature of Turkey is very beautiful. Its mountains, its beaches, forests, lakes. And also it has such a deep history. So those are the things I miss. And also my friends and relatives. There are many people I love in Turkey, but since the last nine years, I just can't spend as much time as I want.
A
One to ten, one is light, ten is dark. What? What's your number? What would you like? What do you feel like?
B
Light questions?
A
Yeah, it's fine.
B
It's a fine light day.
A
If you could ask yourself one question and then answer it. Could you do that for me?
B
I would rather answer your question.
A
That's fine. That's fine. Okay. What is the mistake? You always make something that you've. Like, you kind of keep doing it, but like, oh, I've done that again. That's something. You're kind of fatal. What is your flaw? What's your fatal flaw?
B
It's the seventh beer. I do it from time to time and knowing that it will be a mistake, but it's very hard to resist after the sixth one. So maybe the sixth one is the mistake.
A
You say you work through the night. Don't tell me what you're doing. But what does that feel like?
B
I like it because the world is quieter in the night. And I can work from home with my own tempo. Play. Play the music that I like. And also get paid extra for that week. So I like it.
A
Fascinated about what this could be that you're doing through the night. Shall I ask more or not? Should I leave it?
B
Yeah, you can.
A
What are you doing through the night then?
B
Working.
A
Why in the middle of the night?
B
Because it's a profession that needs 247 stuff to work on.
A
And the profession is.
B
You told me not to answer.
A
What, like what could we. I'm trying to think. What would you need like a. Do like a doctor?
B
No.
A
Oh, go. We're getting again now. Like. Like a kind of air traffic control or something. I mean, what. Like what could be. I'm just trying to think what needs to be through the night. You're working for a different country.
B
No.
A
Okay. Maybe we'll just never know. Trying to think what it mean. Okay, let's go.
B
Let's.
A
Let's move on. Let's move on. What's your most memorable. I've only asked this question once to someone else, but I feel like you're someone that could deal with it. What's your most memorable time of making love in your life?
B
There are so many. Sorry to pick one.
A
One that just jumps out.
B
There are multiple jumping at the same time.
A
You can take more than one few of.
B
But if I need to pick one, I think I could pick last one or the first one. First one because it was very special. I was in love and it's a feeling that cannot be replicated. And the last one, it was very good. Like, was it someone whom I was thinking of for some time, then learned that she was thinking of me as well? And then we met to make our thoughts into reality. And yeah, we were in bed the whole day apart from making some food. So yeah, it was pretty good.
A
And that was the last time. Yeah, that's a very nice one. The first and last. But yeah, daytime love making. That is. That's a good. Yeah, that's a good one. Throughout the day. Do you think people should have sex more in the day?
B
Yes, definitely. I mean, I'm not a only daytime kind of guy, but yeah, daytime is good. Yeah, more people should use their lunch breaks for this kind of activity.
A
I totally agree. What else should they use their lunch breaks for if not sex? Lunch. What else?
B
Doing sports.
A
Sports.
B
Yeah, I go out for runs in my lunch break. I go swimming. Spa.
A
You're a real lunch break guy.
B
Yeah, because I have one hour and 15 minutes every day. And if I just eat food at my desk, I'm wasting my life.
A
I love that. I feel like you could write the book on lunch breaks now, but you really could?
B
Yes. My manager taught me the same.
A
I once had a joke with a friend of mine, a lovely person, and we joked about having a lunch coach. Someone who, like. Who, like, coaches you just through lunch and that kind of time of the day, which is quite complicated, quite important, obviously.
B
And you could be business card.
A
You could be my lunch coach. So let's talk about the perfect lunch break. So you eat quite fast. I guess you just don't eat at all.
B
I just buy food and eat at my desk while I work. So I don't use my foot.
A
Oh, I see. You got 75 minutes to make absolute pay and you go and restore. You could do that. Amazing. So when you have sex on your lunch break, how do you do that.
B
In public? No, no, I'm joking. Usually when I'm working from home or someone's home.
A
Yes. What's on your desk? Pictures.
B
No pictures.
A
Not one?
B
No.
A
You should get one. Well, I'll send you one. If I send you a picture, would you put it up? This is my face.
B
Yes, I will. I will. You will be famous in my office. Worst case, I can make it a screensaver.
A
Yeah, yeah, Good point. A good point. Okay, let's do two more questions. Can you deal with two?
B
Let's make it the last one.
A
Okay. The last one is always the same. What are you going to do next? It's a big gap. Especially as they started. Not late, Big question.
B
I'll just keep what I'm doing. Enjoying life.
A
Fantastic.
B
Thank you.
C
Trust me two lovers are better than one until your heart breaks and you're left with none One half to my sunlight and one for the moon it won't be the last time I don't want to choose But I got a gift for working night shifts and dancing Eyes closed until I feel it Believe in a sadness Awaken to joy for millions of people I was there Choice that's enough open up this is love Tangled in fabric with somebody new Then having our breakfast in late afternoon.
B
I.
C
Remember my sunlight and what they would say When a person is special why hide them away? That is the gift Beautiful vibe shift not saying I'm poly Ain't hard to admit believing a sadness Awaken to joy for millions of people I was there a choice that's enough open up this is love sa.
Strangers on a Bench – Episode 27: Lunch Break Loving
Released on March 17, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 27 of Strangers on a Bench, host Tom Rosenthal engages in a heartfelt and candid conversation with an anonymous guest (referred to as B) about personal experiences, relationships, and the dynamics of polyamory. Set against the backdrop of London’s vibrant parks, this episode delves deep into the guest’s life, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into their journey of self-discovery and emotional resilience.
Favorite Day and Ideal Day Structure
The conversation begins with Tom asking about the guest’s favorite day of the week.
Favorite Day: The guest initially prefers Saturday, reminiscing about preferring Thursday in younger days due to the anticipation of Friday approaching (00:48).
Ideal Day: When describing an ideal Saturday, the guest outlines a blend of social activities and personal relaxation:
Handling Nervousness and Social Interactions
Tom explores the guest’s experiences with nervousness, especially in social settings.
The guest identifies a natural calmness but admits to feeling nervous when approaching strangers: "Asking to strangers, sitting on a bench if they would like to speak to me. I find such meetings a bit nervous" (02:39).
Coping Mechanisms: The guest maintains composure by focusing on the task at hand, avoiding overthinking potential stressors (02:04).
Dancing and Coping with Heartbreak
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the guest’s passion for dancing and its therapeutic role in their life.
Dancing Style: "I'm not a crazy dancer. No, I just close my eyes and flow with the music" (05:16).
Memorable Dancing Experience: The guest recounts a transformative night at Fabric, a renowned London club, where dancing helped them overcome heartbreak after a breakup (07:12).
Impact on Emotional Health: "I think dancing helps with many bad feelings in life. Sometimes our physical motions or physical exercises affect our moods, like doing sports" (08:24).
Navigating Polyamory
The discussion transitions to the guest’s experiences and perspectives on polyamory.
Understanding Polyamory: The guest emphasizes the importance of sharing and open communication in polyamorous relationships: "The joy of sharing is not something people think about" (11:34).
Dealing with Jealousy: Reflecting on past relationships, the guest shares strategies for managing jealousy, highlighting personal growth and the challenges faced: "Polyamory is fun when things are going good because, you know, everything is doubled or tripled. But when things go bad, it can be similarly doubled" (10:05).
Advice for Listeners: Emphasizing open communication, the guest advises couples considering polyamory to discuss boundaries and feelings honestly to prevent misunderstandings (14:25).
Societal Perspectives: The guest observes a gradual societal shift towards polyamory, especially among younger generations, suggesting that traditional relationship frameworks may no longer align with contemporary human nature (15:23).
Family Relationships and Personal Growth
Tom inquires about the guest’s relationship with their parents and how it has influenced their life choices.
Parental Support: The guest expresses gratitude for their parents' supportive and non-imposing upbringing, allowing for personal freedom and learning from mistakes (18:23).
Communication with Parents: While the guest has faced challenges in communicating their polyamorous lifestyle to their mother, efforts have been made to bridge understanding through shared articles, albeit with uncertain results (17:35).
Life-Changing Moments and Personal Reflections
The guest shares pivotal moments that have shaped their life and personality.
Major Life Change: Moving to London emerged as the most significant life-altering decision, fostering self-awareness and openness: "I feel like I got to know myself better and embrace who I am" (19:28).
Missing Turkey: Reflecting on their roots, the guest misses Turkey’s beautiful landscapes and the warmth of friends and family, despite the limitations of time spent abroad (22:19).
Personal Flaws: Admitting to enjoying one more beer than advisable, the guest acknowledges moments of indulgence while maintaining self-awareness (23:27).
Night Shifts and Work-Life Balance
The conversation touches upon the guest’s unique work schedule involving night shifts.
Preference for Night Work: The guest appreciates the tranquility of working at night, allowing for a personalized work tempo and the benefit of extra pay (24:15).
Nature of Work: While the specifics remain undisclosed, the guest hints at the necessity of 24/7 operations within their profession (24:43).
Intimate Relationships and Daytime Connectivity
Exploring the intersection of personal life and daily routines, the guest discusses the significance of intimate moments during the day.
Memorable Intimate Moments: The guest highlights the profound connection experienced during their first and most recent intimate encounters, underscoring the importance of emotional bonds (26:05).
Advocacy for Daytime Intimacy: Advocating for balancing professional and personal life, the guest suggests utilizing lunch breaks for activities like sports or intimate relationships to enhance overall well-being (27:03).
Conclusion
Episode 27 of Strangers on a Bench offers a deep dive into the complexities of modern relationships, personal growth, and emotional resilience. Through honest dialogue, the guest provides valuable insights into navigating polyamory, coping with heartbreak, and balancing work-life dynamics. Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of how embracing openness and effective communication can lead to more fulfilling and authentic connections.
Notable Quotes
Timestamp Reference
<a id="timestamp-0048"></a>[00:48]
<a id="timestamp-0204"></a>[02:04]
<a id="timestamp-0239"></a>[02:39]
<a id="timestamp-0317"></a>[03:17]
<a id="timestamp-0344"></a>[03:44]
<a id="timestamp-0401"></a>[04:01]
<a id="timestamp-0432"></a>[04:32]
<a id="timestamp-0516"></a>[05:16]
<a id="timestamp-0712"></a>[07:12]
<a id="timestamp-0824"></a>[08:24]
<a id="timestamp-1005"></a>[10:05]
<a id="timestamp-1134"></a>[11:34]
<a id="timestamp-1425"></a>[14:25]
<a id="timestamp-1523"></a>[15:23]
<a id="timestamp-1735"></a>[17:35]
<a id="timestamp-1823"></a>[18:23]
<a id="timestamp-1928"></a>[19:28]
<a id="timestamp-2219"></a>[22:19]
<a id="timestamp-2327"></a>[23:27]
<a id="timestamp-2415"></a>[24:15]
<a id="timestamp-2443"></a>[24:43]
<a id="timestamp-2605"></a>[26:05]
<a id="timestamp-2703"></a>[27:03]