Greetings from The Sunshine State! As many of you know, I travel frequently. And it has been mentioned to me before that I should write about some of my adventures. So in a yet to be determined number of entries, I present a mini-series in the adventures of a young, female, single, business traveler.
Prompted by something that happened at the end of my flight yesterday, we are going to start this mini-series with men.
Depending on what airport you travel from, to or through, you're going to come a cross just about any specific type of traveler. You have your George Clooney-esque (a la Up in the Air) business men (who typically provide some of the most entertainment, if only because they're really all the same man in a different body. You have your families traveling to whatever destination vacation of their choice. If you fly through MCO (Orlando) they will inevitably be dressed in some form of Disney character t-shirts, and 9 times out of 10, someone in the group is wearing Mickey ears. If you're out west, you're going to have the random guy(s) with a mullet (yes, they really do still exist). And if you're going through NY, Newark, or Boston, you're going to have a cluster f#%$ of really loud, annoying people.
But as I said before, this go-round, we're focusing on men.
Maybe I give guys too much credit, but I would think most people, males especially, would be more...well...with it...when they travel. In the past month, I have had to remind a guy that his suitcase was still sitting at the end of the screening belt after going through security, directed 2 guys to a bathroom that was directly in front of them, and laughed at a guy sitting next to me for reasons we shall soon get to. But this has made me realize that we womens need to take care of the men. Even if they're only in our lives as fellow travelers.
I'm a nice person. And I've made my career out of talking to people. So when I travel (unless you catch me on a morning when I haven't drank enough coffee) I try to be a nice, friendly person. I talk to anyone. But what has happened several times (too numerous to count, actually) is I'll be talking to a guy who just happens to be standing next to me in line to get on the plane, or sitting next to me on the plane, or wherever we happen to be. They just happen to be the person next to me at the time. I can't help it that they're male, and I'm female. Or that I'm a single female to boot. So I'm just going to put this out there:
I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE MARRIED. I'M NOT HITTING ON YOU. If we are having a conversation, it's more because I'm trying to pass the time, than to make a pass at you.
Yesterday, when I finally got to my seat on the plane, the guy sitting next to me seemed friendly enough. We chatted just a little bit before take off. He threatened to start crying once the plane took off. I threatened to punch him if he did. It was banter. It was not flirting (though I admit that there is occasionally a fine line between the two). As we landed (no crying or punching during the flight, he worked, I read) we again made some small talk. I did the standard "are you from here or here for work?" And he hesitated before answering..."I'm here with a...uh...friend...and their family. A...uh...mm...uh...(whisper) female...uh...friend."
Me: "Oh nice, vacation." But what I really wanted to say is "do you really think I care you have a girlfriend?" Good for you, would you like a cookie?
I admit, perhaps he just didn't know what to think about the relationship, and doesn't know what term to call her. But my guess is that if you're on vacation with her AND her family, it's at least got to be fairly serious. No need to hide it.
Speaking of hiding things. I'm an observant person. I like to people watch when I travel. It's one of the ways to pass the time and offset the impending boredom. And I notice things...like wedding rings, jewelry of any kind really, what people are wearing, shoes, bags, etc.. Especially of guys having loud conversations around me. So, when I happen to be the one next to you in line, and strike up a conversation, it's fairly obvious what you're trying to do when you keep that left hand cemented in your pocket. Even when it becomes awkward, like walking forward, or handing the person scanning tickets your ticket with your right hand, while that left hand still remains in your pocket is awkward. Again, you are not hiding anything.
Now, maybe it's the fact that the male species needs a bit of an ego boost. Or something like that. To think that even though they're not single, some cute, single girl is talking to them. And *gasp* possibly interested in them. Or whatever the reason may be. It doesn't matter. The fact remains the same, I'm just a friendly person, looking the pass the time. Not looking for a romp in the airport hay.
So there you have it folks. Boys (men, though if you continue the childish behavior seen above, I will continue to call you boys) take note. And everyone, stay tuned for the next installment.
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