Strangers Among Us

To celebrate our 54th wedding anniversary, we traveled 50 miles to spend a night at a century and a half year-old hotel. We went on a Thursday as it was our actual date and discovered that the hotel was fully booked for the weekend.

At the delightful breakfast, we discovered that there were only two couples booked for the night, both celebrating wedding anniversaries. When we arrived, we nodded, found a table and sat down to wait for the waitress. Then our conversation began with the other couple. They were celebrating their 38th and before breakfast was finished, we knew a lot about each other. As we departed, it was as if we had left very good friends behind. I even thought some time later that we should have exchanged addresses. Besides, we didn't even know their names. We just conversed.

When we arrived home, Barb suggested we go out for dinner at the nearby Roman Catholic high school where during Lent fish dinners are available. Since it was our last chance this year, we went. It was crowded, so we had to search for a table and shared one with two couples. They were busy chit- chatting so we were reluctant to interrupt although they did nod when we asked if the extra places were available.

We kept our silence as they finished their meals, and then departed. Soon a gentleman and three women came looking for a place and we welcomed them. Again, they conversed and we remained silent. My wife finished before I did and left the table to greet some neighbors at a nearby table. I finished, gathered up the remainders, brushed some crumbs from the table and exited to greet our neighbors but not a word was spoken as our table mates barely noticed we were leaving.

Afterward I got to thinking. We had such a wonderful time at breakfast in conversation but not so at dinnertime. Why? Was it our fault? After all, we invaded their privacy, didn't we? Should we have engaged them in conversation when it seemed not the thing to do? Should we have barged into their chatter or did we do the right thing by not doing so? Even my wife and I had difficulty conversing over the noise of the crowd.

One out of three opportunities. But it could have been zero if we hadn't spoken up in the first place. On the other hand, is there wisdom in befriending strangers or not offending them if we use common sense? It seems so, doesn't it?