THE COVETED ARM REST
repost from August 2011
I was diligent to get an early number to ensure a lower number in the first group that was called to board the plane in order to get a window seat. I secured my seat close to the front by a window, and established arm rest position in the “first come first serve, unspoken airline seating rules.”
I hoped for someone not too big to eventually fill the middle seat on the booked flight. The majority of the time it works out, but not this time… Being smashed as close to strangers as if they were family isn’t comfortable for anyone in their right mind.
I keep to myself as much as possible on a flight and make it a hard fast rule to not start conversations with my temporary too-close-for-comfort-neighbors. If spoken to, I like to give as short an answer as possible, but the most important part of the flight is to maintain sole possession of the arm rest… Thereby forcing the other person to keep their elbows in their laps.
I was relieved the older guy who ended up next to me was talking to the lady on the other side, who appeared to be about his age. I kept my head down on my yellow legal size paper tablet scribbling one of these posts that by this point has already been published.
About a quarter of the way into the flight, with everyone settled in, arm rest possession firmly established without question, the silver-haired and bearded fella did what I try to avoid. He looked at me at close range…
I could feel him looking. He then glanced down to what I was writing, but now no longer could, due to my concentration being broken by my too-big-for-his-seat neighbor. I tried to give him mental telepathy communication.
I talked to Hi Ho Silver in my mind. I repeated over and over, “Don’t do it”! – “Don’t do it”! – “Don’t do it”! … He did it… He spoke up. “You writin’ a book there”? I dryly answered, “No.” Not good enough for Hi Ho Silver. He pressed on, “Looks like a book”! – “Whach-a writin'”?
One of the few topics he could have probably lulled me into, I’m sure he knew it. He no doubt has come up with some wisdom along with the silver hair in his years.
“A blog.” I answered. His curiosity was piqued along with the third person rounding out our trio on the aisle seat. It was like the old commercial for the now defunct E.F. Hutton.
Those commercials showed two people talking and one of the guys asks the other, “Who’s you broker”? The crowded noisy room becomes instantly quiet when everyone in the crowded room looks directly at the guy of whom the question is asked. The man proudly declares “E.F. Hutton.”
I knew it was coming next and was prepared. Hi Ho Silver spoke up, “What kind of blog”? Of course the crowd grew silent and it seemed the jet engines went silent as well. I confidently said, “A Christian Inspiration Reflection blog.”
“Oh”! He said and continued, “You know Rick Warren”? I politely answered, “Of course – I think everyone knows Rick Warren.” – “I mean – I don’t know him , but I’ve read his stuff.”
Hi Ho Silver and Miss Aisle Seat talked friendly enough; I thought after I told them it was Christian they’d leave me alone. – No dice… I learned Mr. Silver had golfed with Rick Warren a couple of times and the conversation lasted the rest of the flight.
The nice people pressed me for the site address and stated intentions to read. Maybe God will use some simple words to have an impact on their lives. That’s my hope.
Somehow in the flight and conversation, I was unarmed…
I looked down at the end of the flight and noticed my left elbow in my lap…
I noticed Hi Ho Silver’s squarely on MY coveted arm rest…
He was good, I mean really good…
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, October 8, 2012 @ 2:17 am
Yeah, sounds like he was a sly old dog.
Floyd
Monday, October 8, 2012 @ 8:08 am
Yeah… You gotta watch those guys! Clever, Bill!
tcavey
Monday, October 8, 2012 @ 3:18 pm
You got me laughing.
Yes, he had some wisdom with that silver hair!
Floyd
Monday, October 8, 2012 @ 3:53 pm
Thanks, TC. Sometimes we just gotta smile or laugh…
Ngina Otiende
Monday, October 8, 2012 @ 6:08 pm
With his silver hair, doubt mr hi ho silver knew or cared much for ‘unspoken airline seating rules’. May have been too johny-come-lately to his era :). Or just conveniently so. 🙂
Great story as always.
Floyd
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 6:57 am
Thanks, Ngina. I guess it’s true; we do get better with age!
Hazel Moon
Monday, October 8, 2012 @ 6:26 pm
This is such a funny story and so true to life. Thank you for sharing it on Tell me a True Story.
Floyd
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 6:58 am
Thanks, Hazel. The simple true stories are always the most interesting I think. Thanks for letting me share it at Tell Me A True Story!
Lincoln Parks
Monday, October 8, 2012 @ 8:53 pm
This reminds me of how I think about people ALL the time. I say exactly what you muttered to yourself. However, it never works. Its not because I don’t care its because I was busy.. But I guess that is the point, make connections and stop being so busy.
Floyd
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 6:59 am
Great call, Lincoln. That’s exactly the point. We all get too busy to really be involved in the lives of others… the one thing our Father calls us to do.
Betty Draper
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 12:31 am
I think God planted that old man right next to you brother. He probably thought how respectful of him to give his arm rest to me. Easy for me to give him the benefit of the doubt, it was not my arm rest…thanks for the laugh and the thought provoking story.
Floyd
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 7:01 am
Thanks, Betty. In truth, I did have enough respect for him to not try to recapture it… I guess he felt or knew it after our conversation. He was a pretty good guy and I’m always looking for the next lesson.
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 10:27 am
I haven’t been on an airplane in a number of years … close to 10 … and don’t like to. BUT one blessing has always been meeting and seeing people and entering lives [or having mine entered]. Sometimes, especially those over-the-Atlantic or headed-to-Uganda, have been very important.
My hair has a little bit of silver/gray streaks… more and more lately… but not as much as the Hi Ho Silver man. So, with my “flight” personality, I’d have driven you nuts, too… or opened more doors for you as a possibility. Never know…. 😉
Floyd
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 5:03 pm
Good point, Joanne. I’m certain you would have… Always another door…
Jason Stasyszen
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 11:21 am
That’s great. Thanks for the laugh, Floyd. 🙂
Floyd
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 5:03 pm
Thanks, Jason. It’s good to lighten it up sometimes…
Saleslady371
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 11:29 am
Hahaha, talk about a gotcha moment! Love that last line. Hope all is well by you. I’m loving these cold mornings; how by you–cooling down?
Floyd
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 @ 5:04 pm
It’s still warm down here, but cooling some, especially at nights and in the mornings.
Those “gotcha” moments you just have to smile at…
Mike
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 @ 11:13 am
You gave me several good laughs on this post. Thanks, I needed it. I have had those elbow wars myself; some I’ve won and others I lost. Sometimes I enjoy talking to people when I travel, but when I’m not in the mood, I just put on a play list on my iPod and stare out the window. Head phones are a great way of saying, I don’t want to talk. 🙂
Floyd
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 @ 11:21 am
Too funny! I wear headphones in the gym sometimes when I don’t feel like talking to anyone and often I don’t even have them on! As for eye contact? Forget about it! Once that is done it’s all over! Thanks for sharing this burden with me, Mike!
Dan Black
Thursday, October 11, 2012 @ 9:03 am
Awesome. I really don’t like being in the middle seat with a couple other guys next to me. It’s the great elbow battle then.
Floyd
Thursday, October 11, 2012 @ 4:27 pm
“The Great Elbow Battle.” I like that, Dan! It is subtle, but it is most definitely there! The only time I ever like to share is with my wife! Thanks, Dan.