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Montreal, Quebec resident Naimur Rahman is encouraging people to make time for real-world connections as convenience increasingly replaces face-to-face interaction.
Quebec, Canada, Jul 23, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Ordering dinner with a tap, shopping online, streaming entertainment from home, and communicating almost entirely through messages have made everyday life easier than ever. But according to Montreal resident Naimur Rahman, that convenience may be coming at the cost of something much harder to replace: genuine community.
Rahman, a ground crew member at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, believes many of the small interactions that once brought neighborhoods together are quietly disappearing. From conversations at local cafés to cheering alongside strangers at a hockey game, he says those everyday moments help create a stronger sense of belonging.
“Convenience has made many parts of life easier, but it shouldn’t replace the moments that help us know our neighbors and build relationships,” says Rahman. “Some of the best conversations I’ve had started because someone recognized my old Montreal Expos cap or struck up a conversation after a pickleball game.”
Research continues to highlight the importance of social connection. According to the World Health Organization, social isolation and loneliness can have serious effects on both physical and mental health. Meanwhile, Statistics Canada has reported that many Canadians continue to experience feelings of loneliness, particularly as daily routines become increasingly centered around technology and individual activities.
Rahman says the answer is not to reject modern conveniences but to make a conscious effort to spend more time where real conversations naturally happen.
“Community doesn’t have to be complicated,” he says. “Take a walk around your neighborhood instead of driving everywhere. Visit a local café. Watch your child’s game. Stay a few extra minutes after a community event instead of rushing home. Those small moments add up.”
As the father of a competitive swimmer, Rahman has found that community often grows in unexpected places.
“My daughter’s swim meets have introduced us to families we never would have met otherwise,” he says. “The same thing has happened through pickleball. You start by playing a game, and before long you’re sharing stories over coffee. Those relationships don’t happen because someone planned them. They happen because people show up.”
He also believes neighborhoods become stronger when residents actively support the places that bring people together.
“In Montreal, every neighborhood has its own personality,” Rahman says. “Whether it’s walking through Verdun, stopping at a local bakery, or debating hockey with someone you’ve just met, those experiences remind you that community is built through everyday interactions.”
Rahman encourages people to make one intentional choice this week to reconnect with those around them. It could be supporting a local business, attending a community event, walking instead of driving, or simply starting a conversation with someone new.
“The strongest communities aren’t built through big campaigns,” he says. “They’re built one conversation, one shared experience, and one familiar face at a time.”
About Naimur Rahman
Naimur Rahman is a Montreal, Quebec resident and a ground crew member at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, supporting youth sports, playing pickleball, exploring Montreal’s neighborhoods, and making homemade Montreal-style bagels. A lifelong fan of the Montreal Canadiens and the city’s rich local culture, Rahman believes strong communities are built through everyday interactions, shared experiences, and meaningful connections.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Finance Droid journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.