I sat next to Mr. 17D today on my way
from DFW to El Paso. 17D, we'll call him for short, was returning
from the Super Bowl with his two sons. He called himself “Charlie
from Chihuahua.” He was a very friendly man who was not deterred
from talking to me even though I had a book open and even though the
flight attendant had emphatically hushed him during the safety
demonstration.
Once airborne, 17D began show and tell.
First, he showed me the football helmet he had bought at the
Super Bowl where his two sons both won $1,000 each on their bet on the
Seahawks. He loved his helmet so much he put it on and wore it down
the aisle on his trip to the bathroom. After his return he began
showing me clothes he had bought while in New York. Asking if I liked
them. While this is going on I grab my laptop and begin working
furiously. “Don't work. Just relax,” he told me. He ordered a
bloody Mary and began showing me pictures on his iPhone of his
family, his home, and all his luxurious possessions. He asked if I
was married. Said I was very beautiful. Said maybe one day I'd marry
a Mexican guy. Maybe. There were intermittent moments of silence
where he did in fact let me work. His limited English prevented us
from having an open dialogue. I was grateful not only for the
language barrier but also for the spare seat between us. Even though
I speak English very well, my responses to him were just one word –
nice, cool, ok.
17D flagged the flight attendant to ask
for another Bloody Mary before landing. I gave the attendant a
warning look – not a good idea. Apparently, it wasn't her call to
make. 17D was a self-declared alcoholic. At least he was honest.
As we landed, 17D said that maybe in
another life he would marry me. Maybe. Let's not forget
the wife you already have sir. He gave me his business card. Said
maybe I could email him. Maybe. I gave him a card in
return. One with a religious link on it. I said it might help with
his alcohol problem.
So question:
Are you an airplane
conversationalist?
If not, how do you politely tell the
guy sitting next to you – dude, leave me alone – keeping in mind
that the entire airplane is listening to your exchange and
you have nowhere to run?
6 comments:
Your tales make me laugh! Sometimes while traveling on planes discretion is the better part of valor and you have to just go with the flow. Once I was traveling back to Houston from somewhere out west on a Monday after the Super Bowl. I had a connection in Las Vegas and a large group of winning fans boarded. They obviously had been celebrating all night - no sleep and lots of alcohol. All the rest of us passengers had to hold our collective tongues until they finally deplaned! Hopefully your flight back home this week won't be quite so noteworthy!
Thanks for sharing Alan. Yeah, that has been my method of choice thus far. Just grin and bear it. But maybe I should work on less grinning. Another tactic, given both our experiences, would be to not fly the week after the Super Bowl. Ha.
Bring a headset and plug it into the laptop and play music.
Headphones are probably the best bet. Thanks Collin!
I hate talking on planes. Likewise, I hate hearing stories about people having missionary moments on planes because then I just feel guilty the whole time and can't enjoy my isolation.
I'm the same way Chloe. I like to zone out and do my own thing. But I have made a goal this year to be a better missionary. I'll try to keep those stories to myself for your sake. :) Unless this one counts. In which case, I'm sorry for feeding your guilt. Enjoy your isolation. Everyone needs a break sometime. :)
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