The amazing and beautiful human connection which occurs when people are gathered together late at night...?

Question

No, I'm not talking about nightlife, per se. I'm referring to those social gatherings, whether with family, friends, strangers or all of the above, where we stay up half the night (sometimes all night) talking, telling stories, sharing jokes, recounting personal histories and otherwise communicating. We've all experienced such moments in our lives, surely? It might be when visiting friends or relatives overseas, people you haven't seen in a long time. It could be at someone's house, an after-hours pub, a hostel, a campfire, a hotel lobby, an airport terminal, anywhere humans gather, connect and interact. What is it about the lateness of the hour that triggers such spontaneous and informal exchanges? Or is it because of the surrounding darkness? Could this be a primitive influence? Are we merely continuing an ancient tradition that dates back to early human beings seeking the fireside for comfort and protection in a world wild and untamed? What do you think? Do you have a story to tell?

Answer 1

wow! "strangers in the night, exchanging glances..."

there is an us against the world mentality when faced with the unknown. it was seen when 9/11 reared its ugly head. it probably occurred when early man faced the darkness bravely, with the help of fire. the dancing leaping flames had to lend an aura of mystique to those nighttime palavers (watch children still do it to this day, tell a scary story out in the tent at night and hold a flashlight under their chins.) light meets dark... where they meet, the connection is tenuous and could be easily snuffed out if one is not careful. so who will tend the fire? the storyteller? the audience? maybe it's best if we take turns, and please please, stay a bit longer within the friendly confines of the light, because who knows what might be moving unseen in the darkness beyond at 3 am.

while not all of us are nocturnal, due to job demands i was for a good 15 years. i craved the sun too, don't get me wrong, and would rise to greet him (and promptly head back off to sleep again) but my social contacts as well as my livelihood were made when the sun went down. people do behave differently at night. some are bolder, thinking perhaps that their motions, even their speech, is somehow hidden or shrouded by the darkness. others turn meek, maybe a bit frightened that someone will fail to tend the fire. i myself enjoyed the contrast, night would not have been nearly so enjoyable without the polar opposite of day.

in any event those bartending years were often marked by an 'after hours' (usually 3 am) staff/customer get-together, either over coffee (tea for me, you know!) or weather permitting, surrounding a bonfire on the shores of one the greatest of lakes. those could be very animated, or just as silent, depending on who took part in them, or the prevailing mood. a blizzard certainly heightened the excitement (and the camaraderie), especially at 3 am!

one of my favorite memories is five of us sitting on a bench of dry driftwood, watching the sparks from the fire float silently up, up, into the equally silent night sky. light meets darkness. together we watched... and watched...

Answer 2

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Answer 3

This question of yours made me think of so many stories that I couldn't decide which one to tell you,Mac!:) I finally opted for this one because it took place not only during the night,but at a really very dark place-no electricity around in many kilometers.Only the moon and the stars.

When I was a the University(the second time),I worked with movies and theater and have many good stories about this period of my life(one of them I owe you-You shall have it soon!;)).
I worked as part of the crew,helping with all that was needed but,mostly,with lights(we used batteries for them,in this case)and camera,which I loved.

The story of one of the films I helped to make took place at a train station and we found a perfect location at an old,abandoned train station near a very small town,in São Paulo state,Brazil.We traveled there and stayed for four days,working day and night and sleeping on the floor of the station,in sleeping bags.

After having worked all day and half of the night,we were all exhausted but,for some reason,no one felt like sleeping and we were awake talking and laughing until next morning.Have I mentioned that there was no electricity? Oh,yes!;) We took candles with us and you should have seen how beautiful and magical was the atmosphere of that place illuminated only by candle lights!:)

If this could have happened during the day? Well,we can always talk at any time,but most people are busy during the day,worried about mundane affairs.The night(and I know I'm biased,since I'm a nightly person)is when we relax and think inside more than outside and let our souls free to meet other souls-Some great meetings indeed!:)

Thank you for the wonderful memories!:)

Answer 4

wow i like how you stated that . i agree its something about night time thats the best time i write because it always comes more from my soul. in a quiet room only one left to commune to is my heart. i feel like im more open and free when i talk after hours. like. the darkness of the night overshadows me to bring forth the unknown needs that hide within me.

Answer 5

Night breeds all kinds of emotions that cannot be felt in the day. Blame it on the moon.

Answer 6

a Beautiful question Mac, and I am holding a place to answer. (swept into the second page of responses to your other question today)
Just need to think on this and will respond, cheers!

Answer 7

Or it could just be the only time we have to talk considering some of us have extremely busy lives.

Answer 8

i got drunk on my birthday and threw up.. i also had trouble speaking english, i was speaking spanish, but my mom wasnt too happy about that. the occastion. my b-day