Train journeys can be very boring and the best way to pass time is to read a mystery novel which doesn't exert your brain much. I was on my way to Bhilai traveling by South Bihar express. The condition of the coach is a story in itself, but let me not get distracted. I was reading Agatha Christie's "Dumb Witness" and was just reaching the interesting part when a voice interrupted me.
"Aapki girlfriend hai kya?"
The question took me by surprise. I looked around. The other occupants in the compartment were an elderly couple and a young girl. No doubt the question had been asked by her. It was evident from the wicked smile on her face. The elderly couple also exhibited an amused expression. Nine out of ten times I would have answered the girl without a moments delay, but on this occasion my discomfort was on display. She gave a chuckle and then said "Aapka dhyan kitab se hatane ke liye pucha". I don't know whether she was telling the truth or not, but she had certainly managed to distract me from the book.
I kept the book aside and started making small talk, things like "what is your name", "where are you traveling up-to", bla bla bla. For obvious reasons I won't divulge her name here, but she was quite friendly and we talked for a long time. It wasn't long before she got too friendly and started telling me all about herself. Her personal life, her problems, everything. I tried to discourage her but she was a real chatter box. I couldn't complete my book during the journey because she wouldn't stop talking to me. Finally when she got down she asked me my name and bid me adieu promising that she'll add me on Facebook.
I had no such luck on my return journey to Asansol, and finished two books during the journey. Now I did not take all the trouble narrating this just to tell you about the girl. I just wanted to give an example of how people tend to become too friendly with their co-passengers on a train journey. This is not the case if you are traveling by air. I do remember when I was traveling by Kingfisher airlines with a friend of mine. It was a two and a half hour flight and we chatted for the entire duration. I don't have words to describe the kind of looks we were getting. It was as if everyone was maintaining silence for a noble cause and we were showing disrespect by talking.
The same people when they travel by train would bore you to death by their senseless talk but when they travel by air they all start believing "Silence is Golden". I wish people realize that it is not a crime to talk on a flight, and that it is humane to socialize a bit with the person sitting next to you. I don't think a girl sitting next to me on a flight would ever ask me "Aapki girlfriend hai kya?"
PS: This post is in no way intended to insult the girl I met on train, who was really sweet and friendly.
"Aapki girlfriend hai kya?"
The question took me by surprise. I looked around. The other occupants in the compartment were an elderly couple and a young girl. No doubt the question had been asked by her. It was evident from the wicked smile on her face. The elderly couple also exhibited an amused expression. Nine out of ten times I would have answered the girl without a moments delay, but on this occasion my discomfort was on display. She gave a chuckle and then said "Aapka dhyan kitab se hatane ke liye pucha". I don't know whether she was telling the truth or not, but she had certainly managed to distract me from the book.
I kept the book aside and started making small talk, things like "what is your name", "where are you traveling up-to", bla bla bla. For obvious reasons I won't divulge her name here, but she was quite friendly and we talked for a long time. It wasn't long before she got too friendly and started telling me all about herself. Her personal life, her problems, everything. I tried to discourage her but she was a real chatter box. I couldn't complete my book during the journey because she wouldn't stop talking to me. Finally when she got down she asked me my name and bid me adieu promising that she'll add me on Facebook.
I had no such luck on my return journey to Asansol, and finished two books during the journey. Now I did not take all the trouble narrating this just to tell you about the girl. I just wanted to give an example of how people tend to become too friendly with their co-passengers on a train journey. This is not the case if you are traveling by air. I do remember when I was traveling by Kingfisher airlines with a friend of mine. It was a two and a half hour flight and we chatted for the entire duration. I don't have words to describe the kind of looks we were getting. It was as if everyone was maintaining silence for a noble cause and we were showing disrespect by talking.
The same people when they travel by train would bore you to death by their senseless talk but when they travel by air they all start believing "Silence is Golden". I wish people realize that it is not a crime to talk on a flight, and that it is humane to socialize a bit with the person sitting next to you. I don't think a girl sitting next to me on a flight would ever ask me "Aapki girlfriend hai kya?"
PS: This post is in no way intended to insult the girl I met on train, who was really sweet and friendly.
