A good sense of humor

Air travel has become more stressful over the past several years; traveling during the big two holidays (i.e., Thanksgiving and Christmas) even more so.  And yet, once a year I find myself at the airport, with my sweetie and my fellow man, trying to make my way south to see my family during this busy time.

I am usually very fortunate in my travels; rarely do I experience major delays or upsets.  I’m usually even spared significant turbulence and crying kids on the plane.  I really am a lucky gal.

But not everyone is able to always move through the process hassle-free, not even me.  So when issues do surface, having a non-reactive demeanor helps.  Additionally, a good sense of humor can make a situation a little less dire – and sometimes even slightly fun.

Such was the case today.  I got to both witness and experience multiple small-yet-entertaining interactions with fellow passengers; and while some were a wee bit, um, “unexpected”, all did make me smile – and a few even resulted in laughter.

Experience #1: [Disclaimer: This brief story is a little “racy”; if you are concerned that you might become offended, I invite you to skip over this segment, and resume at Experience #2.]. {Pause} If you are still with me, then here we go. (You dirty bird!). 🙂

Moving through security, I was working to place my shoes, my quart size baggie, and my backpack on the conveyor as quickly as possible, when the older gentleman in front of me turned around (unprovoked, mind you), looked directly at me, and said, “I demanded that they give me a full pat down – at my age, it’s the only sex I’m gonna get.” Oh wow.  Sir, I don’t know you, so that was pretty inappropriate; but it was also pretty amusing.

Experience #2: At the gate, the airline attendant made the pre-boarding announcement, along the lines of “those individuals traveling with small children…or who need extra assistance walking to the plane…if you are in a wheelchair or on crutches…you are invited to board now.” 

An athletic college kid popped up from his seat and raised his arms in a ‘victorious’ kind of gesture – then picked up his crutches, and hobbled towards the gate.

Finding the benefit in a not-so-great situation – I love it.

Experience #3: On the three-and-a-half hour flight, the middle-aged scientist in the row behind me found himself next to two very chatty teenage girls.  They asked him what he was reading, and he politely, kindly, patiently spent the better part of the flight explaining such concepts as genetics, globalization, economics, and manifest destiny.  I suspect he might have preferred to read his book in peace instead of chat with/teach young girls; but he conversed with them with sincere kindness and compassion – it was beautiful to witness.

Racy, funny, resilient, and kind, all in the span of a few hours.  Just another day at the airport.  🙂

Stef