The honourable gentleman
While on the train to work yesterday morning, I attempted my usual dozing off/catching up on sleep routine. Since discovering the possibility of napping on the hour and half service, my dark circles have been drastically reduced to the effect of touche éclat. That morning however, I just could not find the path to the land of nod (haha indeed). So instead, I sat staring out of the window evaporating boredom.
At some point in the journey a man came and sat next to me, the way that commuters do. He said good morning. Which was fine, you know, people do that. It went on like the usual commute. I carried on looking for nothing in the passing landscape, he read his morning Metro.
What happened next, however, was entirely unexpected. He got up to leave. But then, very politely, excused himself with “I’m so sorry, I have to go meet my colleagues”.
I was lost for words. All I could do was offer ‘ok’ with a smile. What do you say to someone who you’ve never met but who politely, ever so politely, excused himself before he leaves?
I was confused and dumbfounded. At first I was apprehensive. ‘Was that man just being terribly polite?’ Then I was slightly agitated. ‘Why is this man being so polite?’ Then I deliberated. ‘If he was just being polite then I do honestly hope that I was at least polite back.’ Then I was horrified. ‘Have I said completely the wrong thing here? I hope I wasn’t inadvertently rude to this man.’ Finally I just gave up the notion of being able to figure out this little conundrum. After all, is it so terrible that someone is polite?
One thing’s for sure. This man is amazing.
