Stepping out on a Friday night tube
It seems obvious now, but in my moment of trepidation and fear, it could have gone horribly wrong...... What you ask? Let me set the scene. I LOVE the Friday night tube. I love it, because people talk OUT LOUD. Normally, talking on the tube is just not socially acceptable. Well, maybe not so much that, as just not done.
I love the Friday night tube, because people step out of their comfort zone and chat. Well, actually, it's more likely that alcohol helps them step out of their comfort zone... But, I am telling you that my finest moments have occured on a Friday night tube. I may have even blogged about my favourite moments...
I was with a friend tonight and I was excitedly telling her all about an occasion where I had come across 2 delightfully friendly Geordie's on a late Sunday night. She laughed and encouraged me to have another Friday night adventure. I was busy thinking about my Friday night adventures, and realised that every time I had an adventure some else had started speaking to me.
So, I decided to embrace the fear of crazy rejection and step into a crazy Friday night joy. I watched as guy next to me read a book called introduction to geometry. I could not hold it in for long. I was desperate for a Friday night tube adventure. So, I asked "are you reading that because you have to or you just really enjoy geometry?". To my surprise, he said he just picked it up today and was reading it, because it was fun and interesting. He then handed it to me to flick through and see if it was fun. I was surprised by the amount of pictures and I actually had to agree that it did look fun. He then grabbed my book, called 'Where did it all go right', a biography about an english guy whose life was normal and ordinary.
From there, it was 2 easy steps to a delightful conversation that makes me smile as I remember it. We chatted about nothing of consequence, but everything that really mattered. As we swapped trains at Stockwell, an older guy beside heard us introduce ourselves and said "... a match made in heaven. Look how well you are getting along and talking together". Now, while that thought makes me giggle, it makes me sad. Sad, in that we are the extra-ordinary, rather than the ordinary. We should all be able to meet new people and make new friends on the tube. It is the perfect opportunity to break down social norms and challenge cultural stereotypes.
Despite the older mans proclamation, we both realised it was just a meeting of similar spirits. Two people who were sick of sitting in such close proximity and yet not recognising each others' humanity. We both took a step outside the ordinary and stepped into the extarordinary. In parting, his comment to me summoned the whole encounter up....
.... "keep the tube spirit alive".... and I intend to do just that. I am off to ...."keep the tube spirit alive"....
I love the Friday night tube, because people step out of their comfort zone and chat. Well, actually, it's more likely that alcohol helps them step out of their comfort zone... But, I am telling you that my finest moments have occured on a Friday night tube. I may have even blogged about my favourite moments...
I was with a friend tonight and I was excitedly telling her all about an occasion where I had come across 2 delightfully friendly Geordie's on a late Sunday night. She laughed and encouraged me to have another Friday night adventure. I was busy thinking about my Friday night adventures, and realised that every time I had an adventure some else had started speaking to me.
So, I decided to embrace the fear of crazy rejection and step into a crazy Friday night joy. I watched as guy next to me read a book called introduction to geometry. I could not hold it in for long. I was desperate for a Friday night tube adventure. So, I asked "are you reading that because you have to or you just really enjoy geometry?". To my surprise, he said he just picked it up today and was reading it, because it was fun and interesting. He then handed it to me to flick through and see if it was fun. I was surprised by the amount of pictures and I actually had to agree that it did look fun. He then grabbed my book, called 'Where did it all go right', a biography about an english guy whose life was normal and ordinary.
From there, it was 2 easy steps to a delightful conversation that makes me smile as I remember it. We chatted about nothing of consequence, but everything that really mattered. As we swapped trains at Stockwell, an older guy beside heard us introduce ourselves and said "... a match made in heaven. Look how well you are getting along and talking together". Now, while that thought makes me giggle, it makes me sad. Sad, in that we are the extra-ordinary, rather than the ordinary. We should all be able to meet new people and make new friends on the tube. It is the perfect opportunity to break down social norms and challenge cultural stereotypes.
Despite the older mans proclamation, we both realised it was just a meeting of similar spirits. Two people who were sick of sitting in such close proximity and yet not recognising each others' humanity. We both took a step outside the ordinary and stepped into the extarordinary. In parting, his comment to me summoned the whole encounter up....
.... "keep the tube spirit alive".... and I intend to do just that. I am off to ...."keep the tube spirit alive"....
posted by Mishy-Jo @ 12:17 am
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