Jeff Haden, contributing editor for Inc., explains the difference between “quality time” and what Jerry Seinfeld identifies as “garbage time.” Here’s how Seinfeld defines spending time with his kids:

I'm a believer in the ordinary and the mundane. These guys that talk about "quality time" -- I always find that a little sad when they say, "We have quality time." I don't want quality time. I want the garbage time. That's what I like. You just see (your kids) in their room reading a comic book and you get to kind of watch that for a minute, or a bowl of Cheerios at 11 o'clock at night when they're not even supposed to be up. The garbage, that's what I love.

Haden summarizes the importance of ordinary time this way: Garbage time is the best time. With co-workers. With employees. With friends and family, and especially your kids. Garbage time isn't weighted by the expectation that a moment will be special and memorable and perfect. Garbage time just is. Garbage time is when you learn a little more about who people are. When they learn a little more about you. When relationships are not forced, but naturally formed.