C: Connections.

Some of you may recall that I took my first-ever cruise the beginning of this year, compliments of my mother-in-law. (See that post on February 1--I can't do the link thing for some reason). As I have been thinking lately about the connectivity of blogging, I remembered a “connection” incident I had on my flight toward that wonderful sailing vacation.

As I boarded the second plane of my journey, I sat on the aisle by a couple, W and his wife Y, who occupied the middle and window seats. W looked at me as I sat down and with the most serious voice and the most serious face said to me, "Excuse me, but you aren't going to be slow in getting out of here when we get to Florida are you?"

"Oh," I replied, "Do you have a close connection to make?"

"No, no, but...well, I mean I was just wondering if you were going to be slow or if you will quickly get out when the plane pulls up so that we can get out?"

Oh, dear! I recognized this fidget, as I hate to wait on the plane, too, but this was a little magnified. I could tell he meant business, and I more than halfway expected him to ask me to switch over to the window so that he and his wife could slide over one seat closer to freedom. (She, by the way, was sitting quietly watching the exchange with a Mona Lisa smile). I was confident of one thing: no seat exchange was going to happen.

I decided to put him as much at ease as I could and truthfully said, "Not to worry! The deplaning is absolutely my least-favorite part of flying. I'll be out of this seat in a flash."

He visibly relaxed, forcing a bit of a smile at me. "Okay," he quietly said.

Having just come off of a couple of successful spontaneous airport stranger conversations, I decided to press my luck. "Hi, I'm C," I ventured.

"Oh, uh, we're W and Y from...[not the South]," he replied.

"Well, W., I am so glad to meet you, and I share your lack of patience in the whole deplaning process, but don't you think we must be flexible? I mean, what are we losing by not dashing off the plane? Five minutes?"

In his most assured voice, he answered: “Nope, no flexibility in this. I'm going to want to get right off this plane!"

I laughed and tried to strike up a different conversation. He was having none of my flexibility talk, and he remained tense and aloof until something miraculous happened: we met at his "passion point." (Don't worry, no XXX here.)

Y spoke up. "Say, isn’t' that your red bag stowed up there across the aisle?" I confirmed.

"Honey, she's on our ship! I saw her cruise line tag!"

Mister immediately loosened up. "Are you on the Ms Eurodam?" he asked. Again, I confirmed.

This man opened up like an artesian well! He was an absolute fountain of information on the subject of cruises in general (he's been on 21) and on our cruise line in particular, it being one of his very favorites. Enthusiastically this couple began to feed me tips and, well, appetizers for the cruise because our conversation sure whetted my appetite for the cruise experience!

While we were talking, our meager airline lunch arrived. Pulling out an antibacterial wipe, W carefully washed down both sides of his tray table. Y smiled as she said, "He's just as meticulous at home! Everything must be clean, clean, clean! I consider it my bonus!"

We spent the rest of the flight in our pleasant cruise conversation, quickly become “old friends.” Our plane landed in Florida, and I jumped right up out of my seat as soon as possible, true to my word.

As we left, W said sheepishly, "You know, I don't often tell people how many times I've cruised--this is my second this year."

"Why?" I asked.

"Well, they tend to think I'm crazy."

My reply: "who cares what they think?" This couple had found something they love to do, and they are passionate about it. I say, "Good for them!"

Just talking about cruises unwound W and made him such a great airplane seat mate. Regaling me with ship stories and tips made him forget about schedule anxiety, and it softened that meticulous streak. It's just all about finding what people are interested in, I guess.

During my week at sea, I never ran into W and Y. On our next-t0-last day, our cabin phone rang. It was W, offering to buy us a drink in one of the ship’s bars. My sister-in-law and I took him up on it. This couple was so relaxed (of course, they admitted to having several drinks before we got there, which could have helped).

W was just eager as could be to know if my cruise experience had lived up to his predictions. He was ecstatic to know that it had and wanted badly for me to right then go and begin arranging my next voyage because they give you “such good deals” when you book ahead from the ship. I declined, knowing that my budget would require some extensive planning before I could manage that.

As we parted company, they took my e mail address, promising pictures. And all I could think was, "God, You are soooo diverse in your creativity!"

So, as I thought about blogging the other day, I thought about W. He started out such an up-tight grouch; but once we connected, he was a delight! (Wouldn't want to live with him, mind you, but he was a great seat mate!). I think we all hunger for connections with each other and shared passions and sorrows...my thought for the day. C

Comments

Anonymous said…
C -- My favorite posts are ones that tell a story, and then tell how the story's point applies to other facets of our lives, like this one. An interesting story and a great point. :)

Sandra
Anonymous said…
The gentlemen you met sounds like the 'Monk' Character. Enjoyed the story. We must all be open to new connections.
Have a wonderful day!
Melissa said…
I am so glad that you came to visit me. It gave me the chance to find your wonderful blog.

I LOVE it. Can't wait to read more.

It's so nice to meet you both.

Melissa
Rajesh said…
Very beautiful narration of a chance encounter.
Vee said…
Now are you quite certain you wouldn't want to live with him? I'm thinking he'd make a great wife and his wife did say she considered his attention to detail a bonus. ;D

Your post reminds me that there are many times when I have made a snap judgement about a person and come to deeply appreciate him/her later. On the other hand, there are many times I've instantly liked a person and come to not liking him/her so well in the end.

I enjoyed this post and I hope that you do get to go on a cruise again.
Anonymous said…
Certainly enjoyed this story. You are so right about snap judgements. You know we are taught me might be talking to you know who. I agree with Barbara he sounds like "Monk."
Actually that wipe is a good idea with this swine flu thingie.Thanks for your visit to my blog.Blessings
QMM
KathyB. said…
I have to admit, when I travel by plane or train alone, if I have a talkative seat mate I ask them about themselves. I am often surprised by how just a few well thought out questions opens up interesting conversation and I learn so much about other lives and opinions...and the trip goes faster.

Then there are the times I keep my nose in a book, because I want quiet, or the seat mate does! Usually travel talk ends up venturing into talk about eternity ( especially on a turbulent plane ) and that is often good too!

Enjoyed this post !
You had me laughing on this. You were wonderfully patient and nice in a situation like this and that is probably what made it turn out so well. It is nice to make connections and to find a common thread in people. Just loved your post. blessings,Kathleen
Leslie said…
Great story. Bless his wife, she knew exactly what would be his "passion point" and casually led him to it. I believe that everyone does want to connect to others but some just do not know how.
Anonymous said…
Such a great story - I think we all have passions/hobbies and we long to share and be understood. Like you point out, blogging is very much like that and it opens up a world of new friends. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment so I could find your blog.
Michelle said…
We have been talking about taking a cruise in spring 2010 and reading this is only making me want to go even more!
The cruise was the best vacation I have ever had and so much fun. Your right we do need each other and we are all so different!! HUGS!!
I find that sometimes, when you think someone is just being a "butt", it's more likely than not a reflection of their circumstances, rather than a reflection of their true personalities. You're so right - you just have to find something you "connect" with.

Great story!
Kari

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