All aboard The Friendship Bus: a US tour fuelled by shared connections and empathy
America may be divided right now – 73% people are anxious about the political climate – but Flash Pack is revving its way to a new reality, ahead of one of the country’s most contested elections. The Friendship Bus is a real-life vehicle of unity and connection, making its way across the country with stops in major cities home to curious, friendship-seeking souls.
Our message is that friendship and empathy can bridge any divide
Echoing the success of Flash Pack’s New York-based Friendship Corner earlier this year, The Friendship Bus invites participants on-board for conversations that transcend political divides. The aim is to arrive solo and leave as friends, as the team guides you through three levels of conversation cards, each gradually increasing vulnerability.
You can follow the friendship bus’ live route here. After kicking things off in Chicago, we’re heading up the east coast – with stops in Washington DC and Philadelphia. Our end stop is New York City – where Flash Pack’s co-founder, Lee Thompson, took part in a “terrifying” social experiment to make friends on the subway (among other places).
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“Flash Pack has become something of an expert in the art of friendship between strangers,” says Lee. “Our adventure trips have created a platform for lasting connections between a global community of like-minded professionals aged in their 30s and 40s. With America in the grips of a loneliness epidemic – 1 out of 2 American adults feel alone – we decided it was time to take our unique friendship formula beyond the realm of solo travel, and onto the open road.
Come aboard and experience the joy of connecting with others
“The timing of our road trip is significant, too,” Lee continues. “With November’s presidential election approaching fast on the horizon, the nation is more polarised than ever. But our message is that friendship and empathy can bridge any divide – regardless of background or political beliefs. In an age where we find it increasingly hard to tolerate different points of view, Flash Pack’s friendship bus is here to showcase the life-affirming power of in-person interactions. We invite everyone to come aboard and experience the joy of connecting with others; even when you disagree.”
Once on the bus, guests are encouraged to take part in a sliding scale of Q&As, designed to draw people together with topics that range from light and fun to deeper, more soul-searching queries. They might include anything from “If your life were a movie, what would the title be?” to “When was the last time you cried?” or even “Do you judge people for the way they vote?”
“Our questions encourage people to open up and connect,” explains Lee. “Research shows that the ability to be vulnerable – with the right boundaries in place – offers a great route into bonding, and the formation of strong, trusting relationships. So, in a sense, our bus offers space for ‘friendship pop-ups’, where strangers can begin to experience the transformative effects of meaningful dialogue with others.”
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So, as we forge ahead through some of America’s finest cities, look out for our bus as a symbol of friendship, laughter and the common humanity we share. Participants and passersby are also encouraged to engage with the campaign online, using the hashtag #VoteFriendship. And finally – because having a voice is just as important as meeting your people – The Friendship Bus has partnered with nonpartisan initiative When We All Vote, to encourage Americans to vote in the 2024 general election.
Feeling inspired? Follow Flash Pack’s journey as the bus travels across the nation, or join the conversation on Instagram @flashpack #VoteFriendship.
Images: Flash Pack
