Travelogue

Caught Off Guard

72 Comments

And for Humor…

I was traveling to India last May when the air hostess got me a glass of water with no ice as a courtesy drink before the take off. I noticed she was asking everyone about their choice, but when it came to my turn she simply offered me the drink without querying about my preference. It sure was what I would have asked for, still I couldn’t comprehend the fact she didn’t extend the civility to me as she did to my fellow passengers. I couldn’t hold my inquisitiveness for long and enquired how she knew what my choice of drink was. She smiled and said, “I have seen you enough on this route.”

It was a mixed bag of emotions. Though the customer experience was beyond par, I felt a little discomforted knowing people taking note of my presence when I assumed traveling could put me in oblivion.

And then I smiled, for you know you are traveling more than the usual when the flight attendant greets you by saying, “welcome back”.

Copyright © Shantanu Baruah

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72 thoughts on “Caught Off Guard”

  1. Oops!😂 But isn’t it amazing that people notice us so carefully. Though it’s scary as well but we got to focus on positive side. This always makes me anxious that everyone will watch my actions and I prefer being cautious in public but lately I learnt that no matter what you do you can never impress all, so be what you are. This is actually helping me cure my social anxiety issues.☺️

  21. I love the title.. indeed off guard:)
    My fav line… I assumed traveling could put me in oblivion.
    Brought a smile to my face.
    Very very very nicely written. Extra ordinary ravishing raconteur😍

  25. Lol wish I had been on that plane. Who knows what might have happened? I live up to my name – zany lol

  39. This has happened with me too, and believe me I was took off- guard too when someone sad ‘Hello again’. And all that while I kept thinking, no one noticed me. I could simply disappear, if at all I wanted. 😀

  43. Yes, or at least on the same route. So people tend to recognize me. And I am all awkward, because there I stand knowing not what to do. I try to avoid people I know, and there I am in front of people I don’t know, trying to be all friendly..

  62. Hahaha nice….yeah I truly hope preferring to be oblivious and seen where we wish to be seen and the way we wish to be heard, seen and considered is not an act of crime to any one….it would be the last limit of being the right royal Charlie’s.

  65. This was humorous. Caught off is very appropriate title for this piece. This is definitely relatable, it happens to all of us. Thanks for sharing

  68. Wow indeed being noticed / and that too so minutely !! I am sure she knew you well . Good one

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