On my most recent business excursion I overheard two well-dressed gentlemen from France (in my opinion) discussing a volutile associate and the one said, "He just needs to chill down." I think that he meant to use the American phrase "Chill Out" but it was so cute it was worth mentioning.
Bulletin on other travelling oddities: I sat next to the most fidgety man in the universe and I DARE Guinness Book of World Records to say otherwise.
-He tried to keep his luggage in my seat and at my feet even though I was clearly sitting there. Let me be clear that I promptly returned everything to the original owner.
-He practiced boxing moves from his seat. Many, Many, MANY TIMES.
-He clapped in rhythm to a song that no one else could hear.
-He sighed and heaved, yet each exhale was accompanied with a festering snort that made me glad I had eaten much earlier.
-He laid the greater part of his arm over my arm-rest, ribs, and into my seating area flipping restlessly through the in-flight magazines which happened to interfere with my reading the pages of my ever- so-small novel within the confines of my assigned middle seat.
-The most heineous transgression was when he chose to take out his clippers and groomed his fingernails right there. I guess it had been a while as they were shooting everywhere. The filing wasn't subtle either. Both are "fingernail on the chalkboard" sounds that I detest. Deep, yoga-style, relaxing breaths were needed to keep me from coming un-glued.
My only hope at that point was to focus on the man snoring helplessly to my right curled up against the window. I never thought I would be happy for such a thing but I guess it just goes to show that everything is relative.
-I have found in most cases that if a stranger disgusts me it is because he/she is still a stranger and I should take the time to get to know this person better if possible. I am leaving judgment and perception behind to find out the facts. As I interacted with the "world's most offensive in-flight individual ever" my feelings changed.
I think I want to marry him...JUST KIDDING!!!
What I am trying to admit to is that the world doesn't revolve around me and what I think people should be like on a plane or in a house or with a mouse. They just are. Sure, I was completely disgusted but as I got to know "annoying guy" I realized that he is probably "annoying fidgety guy" to everyone that knows him. He wasn't exactly placed on this earth to make me miserable for 2.5 hours. Yet, he was a genuine individual. Who am I to judge?
Sometimes, I just need to "Chill Down."
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