I always get surprised when a stranger suddenly starts talking to me. Yesterday, on the bus going back home, a guy about my age with big glasses initiated a conversation:
- Excuse me. Are the Sens playing tonight?, he asked.
- Um, yes, they are.
- At 7?
- I… I don’t know.
- The Sens are doing great this year, huh?
- They sure are!
- It’s good for the economy!
- Yes, yes, it is.
I’m not good at talking with strangers I know I won’t meet again. Plus, my only focus is to get home and I don’t care about the rest.
I never followed any hockey season before, but this year, I’ve been watching. Some people at work are huge fans of our hockey team in Ottawa. Even a Japanese person I know closely follows the playoffs, and even invited me over to watch a game. It was fun.
Unfortunately, the Senators lost yesterday.
Two other examples of conversation with strangers, fresh from the Tulip Festival. While I was counting the visitors, two Chinese girls approached me with a video camera and a microphone with a TV channel’s brand on it. As I suspected, they’re here to report about the event and to ask me a few questions.
- I saw many of my… um… well, many Chinese people here at the Japanese pavilion. Do you know why?
- Oh, it’s because the Japanese culture is opened to everyone and a lot of people are interested in it.
- Have you went in Japan before?
- Yes, just once, only for two weeks. It was great!
- Would you also like to visit China sometime?
- Sure. Any Asian countries. Japan, Korea, China…
That was it. Chinese people sure like to talk about China! Funny enough, I think I saw a few Korean people volunteering at the pavilion and no Chinese. I learned a few Chinese words and I should have said them during the interview. Damn!
Before that, while selling merchandise, a woman in her 50’s, looking a bit lost, was looking at the long lines of paper cranes on the stand:
- Wow. A thousand cranes? Can I have one?
- Sorry, those are part of the set. However, just behind me, there’s a free workshop on how to do your own! They’d be happy to show you.
- Oh… No… I just can’t do anything with my hands!
- It’s pretty easy! Anyone can do it.
- I’d like to buy one of them instead.
- They are not for sale. It’s just for decoration. Sorry.
- Is that a “no?”
- I’m afraid it is, yes.
At that point, I try to ignore her, while I speak briefly with another volunteer. When she goes away, the woman continues:
- Did you ask her?
- She’s not selling anything. She wouldn’t know.
- Are you a salesman?
- I guess I am today, yes.
- Well, apparently not a good one!
- …
- There’s no way for me to get one?
Gladly, the organiser was nearby, so I told her in Japanese that she was getting a bit annoying and she wanted a paper crane. The organiser looked at me, puzzled as I was.
Finally, the woman gave the organiser a flower in exchange of two paper cranes which were not on display. I was glad it was over.
During my time in Gatineau, while waiting for a STO bus on Rideau Street, a guy approached me and grabbed my arm. I gave him a stare to which he replied before releasing me:
- Relax. I’m not going to kill you!
- Uh…
- How are you?
- I’m fine. How about you?
- I’m alright. Are you going home?
- Well, after a hard day at work, I’m just looking forward to that.
- You’re lucky to have a home. I’ve been living on the streets for the past few years.
Turns out the guy was nice at the end. He was not annoying, but the guy in the following dialogue was:
- Do you smoke?, he asked.
- No.
- Good for you. I smoke and I know I shouldn’t.
- Why are you still smoking, then?
- Because it’s hard to stop!
- I see.
- I feel lucky.
- Uh huh?
- I have a home and a beautiful wife. I have her picture here in my wallet.
He pulled the photo out and… Damn… All I can suggest her is to quit the hair spray! The picture itself was a flashback from the 80’s more than I could endure!
Sometimes I wonder if I should wear a t-shirt saying “Talk to that person” with an arrow pointing to the left.
A few months ago, at a bakery:
- Hey, are you Rémi?
- Um… Yes?
- I saw your site! I used to go to the OJLS too!
Apparently, him and his friend were looking for turkey necks…
(Pictures: Hockey game by r0b0r0b and paper crane by tripu. Both from Flickr.)
