One teacher recalls being able to help strangers better understand Bitcoin three times in the wild.
This is an op-ed by Tali Lindbergh, co-founder of Free Market Kids, a company focused on financial literacy and Bitcoin education.
My husband and I decided to become Bitcoin gurus because we strongly believe that Bitcoin is a monetary standard that everyone should know. However, it can be very frustrating at times when most people view us as religious and dogmatic missionaries that they should avoid or only politely tolerate.
But then, all of a sudden, I’m going to be having amazing conversations with people who are willing to hear what we have to say. They are just waiting to find someone to discuss Bitcoin who can help them understand it better.
This article describes three such encounters in unexpected places. as the saying goes(slightly modified), “When the student is ready, the teacher (I) will be sent to them.”
One: GoDaddy tech support
A few months ago, when my husband Scott and I were just starting our foundation focused on financial literacy and bitcoin Free Market KidsWe had a lot of trouble getting our site to work properly. I spent hours with tech support through various providers. During this incident, I contacted GoDaddy Support and was instructed to restart my computer.
While we were waiting for the computer to do its thing, instead of sitting on the line in silence, I started chatting to the support guy about where he was, the weather, etc. Soon, we were asking each other about our work and life experiences.
He asked, “So, what is Free Market Kids?”
I replied, “Well, we teach people about bitcoin and money through our board games.”
“Bitcoin!” He continued with a deep sigh, “You sold me years ago.”
He explained that early on, his friend convinced him to mine bitcoin. When the price went up, he got excited and sold all his bitcoins because he needed the cash for something.
“Now, I am watching the Bitcoin price go crazy, and I can’t believe I messed up my chance!”
I asked him what he knew about bitcoin, regardless of what his friend had told him.
He replied, “Very little.”
So, I explained to him the basic characteristics of Bitcoin and pointed out that he can always go back. Thirty minutes later, long after my computer restarted and the original issue resolved, we finally hung up.
I was so excited about the conversation that I went to tell my husband about it.
“I thought you were on GoDaddy support?” Scott asked.
“I was!” I answered excitedly.
When the student is ready, the teacher will be sent to them!
Second: the veterinary office
In preparation for some conferences we were attending, I designed a company t-shirt. Unfortunately, the first batch didn’t do so well, so I decided to just wear it around the house. I remembered a last-minute vet appointment, and ran off with our dog, forgetting I was wearing our company shirt.
After checking in and entering a small testing room, I sat down to wait with my elderly standard poodle, Ava, panting beside me. Moments later, the door opened, and the vet entered, clipboard in hand. He looked at me without saying anything and closed his eyes.
“Uh, do I have something on my face?” I thought, I feel a little uncomfortable.
Then he broke the awkward silence and said, “Bitcoin, huh?”
“Yes?” I answered hesitantly, looking at my shirt.
“I have some questions for you!” boom. “Someone told me bitcoin is going to zero. What do you think?”
“Uh, right… what do you know about Bitcoin in general?” And you answered.
“Not much,” he admitted.
We talked about Bitcoin, and he had endless questions. I watched the pen in his hand hover over Ava’s outline, but we haven’t talked about that patient panting dog for a long time.
A vet visit that should have taken 20 minutes ended up being an hour and a half.
When the student is ready, the teacher will be sent to them!
Third: the jewelry store
I went to a jewelry store to replace a broken necklace. Once again, I was wearing our company jersey and running errands. Two women stood behind the counter. While one of them was packing my purchases, the other looked at me intently, leaned over to me, and whispered, “My brother is into cryptocurrency, but I don’t get it. I know the economy is going to crash, but I don’t have a million dollars to invest in bitcoin.”
She continued, her eyes filled with tears, “I’m a single mom, and I’m scared of what’s going to happen.”
She looked very tired, frustrated, and anxious.
I replied, “You don’t need a million dollars to invest in bitcoin.” “You can start with very small amounts, $1 or $5.”
We chatted for a long time, and I hugged her before saying goodbye.
I told her, “There is a reason we met today.” “Contact me anytime!”
When the student is ready, the teacher will be sent to them!
And maybe I should wear our company T-shirt more often!
This is a guest post by Tali Lindberg. The opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
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