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October 16, 2005
On the behaviour of fellow travelers
As you know if you have read me for more that a week or so, I travel a lot. A whole lot.
The more I travel, the less patient I become with .. other travelers. American businessmen are becoming pushy, rude, noisy and conceited jerks when they travel. They seem to think that their time is more valuable than anyone else's time.
I have been pushed, I have had business men butt in front of me, I have had them try to convince me that they deserve *my* aisle seat because they are wearing an expensive suit that might get wrinkled. (I'm not nearly that stupid, dear readers).
When I flew back from the U.K. a couple of Sundays ago, there was a line at US Immigration at the Newark, NJ airport. The man behind me was absolutely beside himself, fuming about the length of time it was taking the Immigration Man to check people through. After all, he had things to do, places to go.
I got rather tired of his tirade and offered him my place in line - after all, my connecting flight didn't leave for another 2 1/2 hour - I was in no hurry.
Oddly enough, my offer embarrassed him (and his wife) - he said, no, no - I'm home now. I guess I can wait a little while.
I have learned that I can diffuse the nastiness of some (not all) business travelers by being so nice that they start feeling bad about their behaviour.
I get my own satisfaction out of doing this - the bastards ought to feel guilty the way they push who they believe are the 'little people' around!!
Posted by Beth at October 16, 2005 2:46 PM
Comments
I love the way you made that jerk behind you feel embarrassed.I also cannot stand pushy people, next time I encounter one, I will try your tactic of being nice.I usually just glare at them and get the same in return.
Posted by: keewee at October 16, 2005 3:49 PM
Heh. I would love to see your politeness deflate their conceitedness :D
Posted by: Rae at October 16, 2005 4:13 PM
Huh - Prolly works better than 'accidentally' stepping on his toes, which would have been my trick ;-)
Posted by: Barb at October 16, 2005 11:40 PM
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." I suppose one could add "if he is fretting in the Immigration line, offer him your spot."
A fine way to both zing someone *and* be righteous in doing so.
Posted by: *** Dave at October 17, 2005 10:09 AM
If I were to stereotype Mr. Big American Corporate Exective, it would be just that.
During my fair share of trekking down market, I've had my fair share of bumps with those pittyfull souls who are afflicted with blazing-hot egoes, and ice-cold hearts.
Just like them, I am blessed to carry a blue passport, with a fat golden chicken stamped up front. However, culturally speaking, that's the only thing I share in common with them. Hard as I try, It's difficult for me to understand those FUGLY Americans Execs.
Posted by: Boquisucio at October 17, 2005 5:25 PM
I particularly hate the butt heads that take isle seats when they KNOW that they have the window or middle. Many offer to direct you to some other spot on the plane or otherwise act like you're putting them out to make them move over.
I usually book my tickets online and intentionally get the same seat location on a given type of airplane because I know the good spots to sit and these jerks obviously know what they are doing--they just don't buy their tickets in time to get the seat they really want.
Another pet peeve of mine is the "decked out moron" that wants you to think they are a saavy traveling bigshot but obviously hasn't been through the security checkpoint since 9/11.
They're loaded with metal from the top of their pointy heads to the tips of their new steel shanked JC Penny loafers, and after two trips through the detector I smirk at them as they strip off belts and shoes and watch fobs and subject themselves to the wrath of the TSA employee brandishing a wand.
Posted by: Virgil at October 18, 2005 5:38 AM
I smile and ooze sweetness and light 'til it hurts, even though there be much gnashing of teeth internally. I think it makes me a better person.
It also keeps my picture off the front page of the paper for what I'd be doing otherwise.
Posted by: tree hugging sister at October 18, 2005 12:15 PM