No progress on Operation Destroy Bamboo today, because I was with clients all day and also it's freezing cold and raining. Instead, here's a little incident that really brightened up my morning.
I was feeling so virtuous about having worked so hard yesterday, so I thought I'd get going early this morning and treat myself to breakfast at my favorite breakfast place, Nosh. We go there almost every weekend, so they know us, and I've gone in enough on weekdays that the weekday folks mostly recognize me too.
I like to sit at the row of tables by the front window, so I can keep an eye on my car. Vandalism isn't a huge problem for me, but with an art car it's always a possibility. So when I park UMJ someplace with heavy foot traffic, I like to sit where I can see the car if possible. There was only one table free by the window, and while I walked to it, a guy at the next table said, "Anyone who would drive a car like that is crazy" just as I passed by his table. His friend knew it was me, and started making awkward "can it" gestures, like a nervous head shake, to which the first guy was like, "what? what???" Then I realized that I had forgotten to get my drink cup, so I got up again, and the friend actually pointed at me with his thumb as I passed them again. Smooth, gentlemen!
I was so amused that I told the woman at the register about it, and she said I should go over and introduce myself. I think "At that point I would make my presence known" was the way she put it. I thought that was good advice so when I sat back down I said "Good morning! How's it going?" The first guy had his back turned and didn't respond. The friend looked monumentally uncomfortable, I think he literally cringed, and tried to acknowledge me without speaking or making eye contact. Doubly smooth!
After that I ate my breakfast, read email on my phone, and ignored them until they left. The friend left first, then when the guy who called me crazy walked past I said "Have a good morning!" He smiled nervously and said thank you while hurrying past, like he thought I was going to attack him or something. You never know what crazy people will do!
What a weasel. He said something stupid and rude about a stranger, and got caught. When I said good morning, it had to be obvious that I had heard him. If he had apologized and laughed it off that would have been totally cool. The funny thing is, I see that guy in Nosh all the time. He just didn't recognize me because when Georg and I go together we always take his car. I'm debating whether to greet him every time from now on, or let him alone. I was laughing about this all morning. If I can make a rude jerk uncomfortable just by smiling and being friendly, it's a great day.
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