Anonymity and Finiteness

On my way back from work today, as I was crossing the street, the following conversation ensued:

Man: Excuse me, are you from around here?
Me: I am still relatively new but can try to help if you're asking for directions.
Man: How long have you been in DC for?
Me: Almost a year.
Man: That's not new anymore.
Me: What are you looking for?
Man: The German Marshall Fund.
Me: Nope. Sorry. Don't know where that is. Do you know the streets/intersection?
Man: No, but they did tell me to walk this way and that I will walk past a triangle/island in the street.
Me: Yes. That's coming up ahead.
Man: So what do you do?
Me: I am a student. Studying International Development at GW.
Man: Ok. I work at the UN in Geneva so I can relate to your studies.
Me: I've been to Geneva once.
Man: Really? How so?
Me: Orchestra trip. We did the European tour.
Man: What instrument do you play?
Me: Mandolin ( I can never say this with a straight face. Never)
Man: Haha. Really? I played the bamboo flute. Have you ever seen one?
Me: No but I can imagine it's just a bamboo shoot with holes in it.
Man: Pretty much.

At this point we get to the 'triangle' in the road and soon enough see the building for the German Marshall Fund.

Man: Oh look. There it is. You cannot really be credited for helping me find it.
Me: No but I'll take the credit for the company.
Man: Does this happen to you often? People approaching you and start having conversations?
Me: Actually yes. Quite often. In fact, I write a blog about these dialogues. This is definitely going in it tonight.
Man: Do you think it happens to you more than to other people?
Me: I don't know.
Man: So why do you think these encounters happen?
Me: Well, I am still a bit out of my context in DC so am naturally more open to strangers and friendly enough to engage.
Man: And how do you usually take these?
Me: I smile. I think it's comic.
Man: Is this random? Comical? Boring?
Me: No, it's relevant. Definitely random.
Man: You know what it is? It's anonymity and finiteness. You know that after a few minutes you won't see this person again so it is easier to talk to them and then leave. Also, you know you have a limited amount of time so you are never stuck in case the conversation is boring.
Me: I agree. That might explain this and the basis of my blog.
Man: Like on a plane. You know that you will never see the person again and don't mind what you say as long as you are not stuck in a dreadfully boring conversation. Knowing it's finite makes things a lot easier because you don't want to spend an eternity in a dull conversation.
Me: Funny that you mention this because I'm reading The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
Man: So is this a dull conversation?
Me: No, I'm just trying to decide what part of it I'll blog about.
Man: So do you have anything you want to ask me?
Me: Ummm. So what brings you to DC?
Man: Well, I gave for a conference and just gave a speech at the IMF. Which explains why I feel like talking to anyone on the street right now.

By this point, we're in the shade having a conversation on development (which I will spare you), alongside questions of my future plans, etc. We continue for quite a bit, never once shaking hands to exchange our names. Anonymity- so true, so comforting.

Finiteness.
Man: Listen, I am leaving tomorrow afternoon. My time here is limited, but if you want to continue this dialogue, what are you doing at noon tomorrow?

Nirvana

Sometimes all it takes is a quick run to Starbucks across the street to have the conversation that puts a smile on my face. It's another 95 degree day and an iced latte was calling my name so I quickly respond and run inside ready to cool off. A middle-aged Indian man cuts in front of me ( I'm not sure if he saw that I was waiting in line so I'm not judging) and orders some coffee. He takes out a Starbucks card to pay and the cashier says it didn't go through. He tries another card which works fine and turns around to say to me:

Indian Man: That was embarassing. Or not embarassing, rather unmindful.
Me ( smiling trying not to be awkward): Oh, it doesn't matter. It's ok.

Starbucks guy is excusing himself for making me wait while he's trying to get the man's coffee.

Me ( to Starbucks guy): It's ok. I'm in no rush. Take your time.
Indian Man: Really? You must be really unique then. Everyone's always in a rush.

He continues to stare at me intently, intrigued that I am not in a rush.

Indian Man: So how do you do it? You're always in Nirvana? Got the Zen going on? What's the secret?
Me: I'm just taking my coffee break and not really rushing anywhere so I might as well take my time and relax.
Indian Man: Ok. Good for you. Have a nice day. Bye. (or something like that)

Then it's my turn to order and I start interrogating the Starbucks guy about how they decide the order of adjectives because everytime I order a "tall, iced, latte" they yell out "iced, tall, latte." Who decides this order? I think the size should come before the description, but I won't worry too much over this lest I lose my zen.

Underage

The other week my friend Jackie was in town with her boyfriend and we met up for dinner and a little tour of DC/Georgetown. After walking for about two hours, I wanted to take them to this gelatto place in Dupont. As we're crossing the street, these girls approach me and after what seemed like they looked me up and down to make sure I would have a good answer they ask:

Girls: Do you know any good places for going out around here? Any bars?

Me: What are you looking for?

Girls: Somewhere to have a good time.

Me: Ok. Cross the cirlce. Other side of Dupont there's a bunch of places for going out. 18th St. Lounge, Lucky Bar, Citron, Current... Just cross the park and you'll find something.

Girls: Where are you going out tonight?

Me: Um, I'm getting gelatto and going to bed.

Girls: Ok. Thanks.

Me: Have fun. Bye.

Now, the first thing that was weird is that they looked so young. Who knows where they're from...suburbs or out of state. Where are their parents? Secondly, they asked where I was going out. As if I would want them to tag along. No open invitation from my part.

About an hour or so after that encounter, I drop Jackie off at the Metro and who do I see sitting on the edge of the station but those girls.

Me: Hey, did you guys find some good place?

Girls: No. Our IDs didn't work. They wouldn't let us in.

Me: Haha. I did think you looked underage.

Girls ( looking annoyed): Thanks.

Me: Take it as a compliment.

So, I was right. Those girls had no business trying to get into a bar... or hanging out with me.

Sunscreen

It's a sunny 80+ degrees in DC today and since I needed my Vitamin D, as well as a lunch break away from this computer, I cross the street to the little park in front of my office and proceed to apply sunblock on my face.

A few minutes into it, a guy walks by and says, " You gonna lather me up?" Then proceeds to sit next to me. Here's more or less of our conversation:

Me: Umm, no, but I'll give you some sunblock.
Him (taking off his hat and extending his face): Here, put some on my face.
Me: I'll give you sunblock but won't put it on you.
Him: Why not?
Me: It's weird. I don't know you.
Him: Then let me introduce myself.
Me: I'll share my sunblock with you. Here. I'm not going to put it on you though.
Him (extending his palm as I give him some): You think this is enough?
Me: Yes.
Him: I walked all the way from the Smithsonian. It's hot outside. I'm from Nebraska.
Me: So you're not used to the weather? I'm from Chicago, so I know what you mean about the cold.
Him: Alright- Midwest.

He is lathering his own face throughout our conversation.

Him: I like to keep stay pale in the summer as much as I can. Like you.
Me: I'm not pale. I'm working on my tan.
Him: Ok. Not pale but lighter than me.
Me: So what are you doing in town?
Him: I'm in the Navy.
Me: Ok. Nice.

By this point, the sunscreen has been absorbed and he gets up, shakes my hand, and leaves. It took about 5 minutes. Really strange but at the end of the day, some people just need to talk.. and other want their faces touched.