Talking On Line

I don’t mean online, online, I guess I really mean in line. If you ever meet me in a store, bank or post office—you will meet me. I talk online to everyone. Now I do not do it if someone gives me a dirty look or won’t be receptive, but by and large, I throw out a sentence to anyone who will listen. Hey, much like I am doing right now!

I’m not doing it to get some attention I need, I just like the interaction with people. And in just that short moment in time, you can actually get to know a total stranger in some way. So the morbid person in me imagines that I am some victim in Law and Order where they are tracing their steps back leading to the crime. I would have a alibi for sure, because if I was waiting for something, I was probably talking to someone.

Sometimes it relieves the stress at the time. And I love when everyone starts to chime in with their own two cents. That is when you get this whole group dynamic. I studied group dynamics and it’s great to dissect who is playing what role. Sometimes a real comradery starts to snowball.

Now on the other hand, sometimes others try this and seriously fail. I feel the need to pick their one liner (off the floor) that didn’t work and throw `em a bone conversationally. They are usually pretty grateful. Some people are really good and it and crack me up and thus, make the time we are all waiting a little more pleasant.

And over the years, I’ve learned some pretty interesting things. Once I was waiting online in my neighborhood and this older Mom was talking about how her son got this great job on SNL. I instantly put together that this was David Spade’s Mom. I only knew, since I went to school with Dave and we always supported him and went to his comedy club nights. He was funny and a really nice guy. We had hired him for our University gigs and so it had to be him. I asked her if she was Dave’s Mom and she just lit up with pride. That was probably the coolest moment, Dave hit it big. She even told me he was hired to write for the first two years and then would be a cast member—so I had a heads up as I watched SNL.

I have to say the scariest interaction while standing in line was at JFK airport. I was just out of college and visiting me roommate. The line was long to get through ticketing and I ended up sitting on my luggage while waiting. The girl behind me looked visibly upset, so I asked her if there was anything I could do. I just felt she needed someone to just offer that. I figured she was saying goodbye to a boyfriend or family and was having one of those airport moments. She gave me an ear full. What she told me haunts me to this day. I guess she was abruptly returning from a semester abroad—only it was mid term, so why was she with me? She had been in Spain with a good friend and roommate.

Apparently, Spain is so close to Africa that it is just like we used to cross the border into Mexico to have some fun slumming it. They were in a bar and the next thing this girl knew she was waking up and taking her head off the table and her friend was GONE! The officials surmise that they were probably both drugged and the other girl could have been killed or more likely taken into white women slavery rings they have in those countries.

It still sends a shiver down my spine. This girl had just been through the ringer. Authorities questioned her. The other girl’s parents flew in and also questioned her. She said that was the worst part. That every day after, the situation became worse. They packed up their daughters belongings and she was just so devastated, that she left mid term as well.  I don’t think she would ever be the same person and she seemed so young. I think she reached out to me because I was around her age. When I hear news stories on TV about this stuff or that Natalie girl gone in the Caribbean, I think of her. I don’t even know her name, just a stranger I talked to in line at JFK.

Well now that I’ve said it, you will be really aware of the whole dynamic when you are in one of these waiting games. Why not turn to the person behind you and just blurt something out or complain in a funny way or just smile, you could learn a lot. Maybe help someone that needs your help.

Oh, and let me tell you something interesting that my cousin from Europe mentioned about this topic. In her experience, in her country, people don’t do this, you know just talk to a total stranger. Really, it was one of the things that she really liked about living in our country. I guess it is the one thing that makes us truly uniquely, Just Americans. Pretty cool, huh? I’d love to know your thoughts or experiences with this.