A comic comes to mind as I review the experience: two people glance at each other on passing subway cars and glance in to each other's eyes. The subtext reads "And you will never see him again."
I recently took a flight to St. Louis from Philadelphia, and as I was walking to the back of the plane looking for a seat, my eyes met those of a woman in a window seat ahead of me. Maybe I'm just lonely, or maybe just hopeless, but I feel like our quick glance was met with a certain level of mutual respect. I would have taken the seat next to her, if I were not unfortunate enough to be behind a woman and her son who proceeded to occupy the rest of that row.
I have come to realize, however, that these meetings sew the most perfect human relationships possible. Two people communicate for a short time through their eyes, an act which reveals a lot more than one would think were possible. With no verbal or physical communication to follow up, the rest is left to the imagination. Now, I am not saying that given the chance I wouldn't have spoken to her, but given the current circumstances I am more than happy to cherish our meeting for what it was.
Two or three times during the flight, I looked up from my book at the exact moment she happened to turn around, and our eyes met again. Each time was another heart fluttering experience, the kind where you feel like you shouldn't look at people you had never met that way, but you can't help it. The connection, however, was mutual. While I would take far longer to look away than I should (three or four seconds), she would do the same. Then, eye contact would break and we would both return to our respective activities.
So, to the girl on the plane in the window seat two rows from the back: You seemed nice. I hope you enjoyed our short, awkward glances as much as I did.
An edit: This is not meant as a statement of regret or any form of desire to have talked to or to in the future talk to the woman on the plane. I simply felt the desire to capture the moment as I saw it.
I always wonder about these missed opportunities in life, girls and outcomes and everything as I grew up. I am happy with my life, but you know, it is strange to think about where or what would be different.
If you want to hear a good song about this topic as well, look up Jeffrey Lewis, The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song. The title is a reference to the great Leonard Cohen song. It always reminds me of this.
EDIT: I did not mean it as if you missed an opportunity as much as thinking about strange moments in life where these things could lead to something else and reminding yourself of them.
On June 26 2011 14:25 andeh wrote: So...why didn't you say hi?
Probably the same reason most people don't say hello in situations like that. Or at least the same reason I don't... I don't want to come accross as being a really creepy guy, and make a fool of myself in the process.
Great writing though, too bad it didn't quite work out. :/
I had (what I assume) the same feeling on the boarding platform in Seattle. It just so happened that our seats were right beside each other when we got on the train. This was a train to Blizzcon in Anaheim lololol. Dated the girl for a year until long distance got to be too much, waiting for her to finish up education.
The what if's whirling through my mind are overwhelming. How would things have gone if you met this girl? Would meeting and talking cheapen that short experience? So hard not to want more and yet a fleeting moment like that isn't exactly like crushed walnuts in the bulk isle at safeway. Eye contact is absolutely splendid. I hate the phone/email/texting. Body language is just so expressive and missing out on it is frustrating.
This was just too cute lol. Fun little read here too, but I also hate you for not saying hi. Mother fucking just say "hi" it's not creepy it's just being polite even. STILL YOU'RE CUTE AND I LIKE YOU <3 I'll meet eyes with you anytime you want ^______^
That was a surprisingly good read. I guess sometimes it is hard to overcome that fear within about what others around would think and how it would work out. Oh well, another time I guess.
To the comments that say I should have said hello:
When you're sitting in the middle seat on a plane with two three seat rows, getting up and leaning over two people a few rows down to say hi to the random person in the window seat is a little weird for everybody.
I also left out the fact that the plane was only stopping in St. Louis, and continuing to some city farther west. Unfortunately, she stayed on the plane.
the post took me by surprise; i came in here expecting some girl help related blog lol. very nicely written, and i must say, you make some excellent points. it's definitely happened to me a couple of times (though not on a plane), and i just take the moment for what it is.
^ I look at your signature with disdain, sir. Nice story, very well written. I had something similar happen to me on a city bus about 4 years ago; I went for it and said something. Turns out, I attended high school with the girl; we had a fun conversation and started dating shortly after--It wasn't meant to be, but it was still a fun experience.
I still don't quite understand people's reluctancy to engage in conversation in those situations. If you somehow come out as creepy, does it really matter? (you might never see her again), and if you hit it off, it's a nice experience, at least for the rest of your flight--it may very well be the beginning of something awesome.
On June 26 2011 14:25 andeh wrote: So...why didn't you say hi?
Probably the same reason most people don't say hello in situations like that. Or at least the same reason I don't... I don't want to come accross as being a really creepy guy, and make a fool of myself in the process.
Great writing though, too bad it didn't quite work out. :/
Well, knowing that you would never see this person again, at least go up to her when the plane has landed outside the terminal and say strike a conversation. Who knows what might have happened?
Yuck. Man, this just sounds like a total creeper. Maybe she was looking back at you because she was disturbed by your leering.
I think more guys should realize that life is not all about meeting a pretty girl. It's actually got a lot more going on in it and pretty girls are a dime a fucking dozen. And the more you're taking care of your own life and living it to the fullest the more pretty girls are going to come right up to you and just talk.
All these comics and crap are just teenage insecurity type bs.
Hahaha, reminds me of a time where I met a girl at the airport and we talked and she gave me her name but I forgot it before I could find her on facebook.
Dude, next time write her a message with your FB or phone/email or something. You could have given her as you were leaving the plane. WOuldnt have hurt at all since she prolly wouldnt even have time to read it before you left.
On June 28 2011 00:39 StorkHwaiting wrote: Yuck. Man, this just sounds like a total creeper. Maybe she was looking back at you because she was disturbed by your leering.
I think more guys should realize that life is not all about meeting a pretty girl. It's actually got a lot more going on in it and pretty girls are a dime a fucking dozen. And the more you're taking care of your own life and living it to the fullest the more pretty girls are going to come right up to you and just talk.
All these comics and crap are just teenage insecurity type bs.
I'm sorry you feel that way. I wasn't leering at her, but in a cramped plane when you look up from your book, it's hard not to see everybody in front of you, and its hard not to notice the person who is turned around and looking at you over the seats.
You clearly live in a world where quaint little happenstances don't often occur. I meant no distress by writing this blog, I simply felt the need to express that chance feeling. I don't understand how looking at somebody the same way they look at you out in the human wilds and thinking about it makes me a creeper. The event has been left for what it is, or for what I believe it is at the very least, and no further pursuit has been carried out, let alone conceived.
I like your post very much. Those connections are intimate and unblemished. If I were in that situation, I wouldn't approach either. Why destroy something so beautiful?
On June 26 2011 14:10 LokitAK wrote: A comic comes to mind as I review the experience: two people glance at each other on passing subway cars and glance in to each other's eyes. The subtext reads "And you will never see him again."
I recently took a flight to St. Louis from Philadelphia, and as I was walking to the back of the plane looking for a seat, my eyes met those of a woman in a window seat ahead of me. Maybe I'm just lonely, or maybe just hopeless, but I feel like our quick glance was met with a certain level of mutual respect. I would have taken the seat next to her, if I were not unfortunate enough to be behind a woman and her son who proceeded to occupy the rest of that row.
I have come to realize, however, that these meetings sew the most perfect human relationships possible. Two people communicate for a short time through their eyes, an act which reveals a lot more than one would think were possible. With no verbal or physical communication to follow up, the rest is left to the imagination. Now, I am not saying that given the chance I wouldn't have spoken to her, but given the current circumstances I am more than happy to cherish our meeting for what it was.
Two or three times during the flight, I looked up from my book at the exact moment she happened to turn around, and our eyes met again. Each time was another heart fluttering experience, the kind where you feel like you shouldn't look at people you had never met that way, but you can't help it. The connection, however, was mutual. While I would take far longer to look away than I should (three or four seconds), she would do the same. Then, eye contact would break and we would both return to our respective activities.
So, to the girl on the plane in the window seat two rows from the back: You seemed nice. I hope you enjoyed our short, awkward glances as much as I did.
An edit: This is not meant as a statement of regret or any form of desire to have talked to or to in the future talk to the woman on the plane. I simply felt the desire to capture the moment as I saw it.
Here's a healthy dose of cynicism to balance out the fucktonbucketload of niceness:
People stare at pretty people (99%), rest is irrelevant.
I know it's just meant to be a heartwarming blog, but eye contact reveals a little more than zero information regarding the other person. You only FEEL as if you've gotten to know the person because of your imagined preconceptions regarding the other person.
On June 29 2011 06:25 Ravencruiser wrote: People stare at pretty people (99%), rest is irrelevant.
I know it's just meant to be a heartwarming blog, but eye contact reveals a little more than zero information regarding the other person. You only FEEL as if you've gotten to know the person because of your imagined preconceptions regarding the other person.
But that doesn't matter. What the OP describes is just emotional. A stare. A set of stares. Mostly mutual. With no strings attached.
Its just one of those situations that makes you feel good. With no reason to overanalyze it. The people commenting here have all felt the same. And the negative responses are just deflections of their own life/current mindset/mood at the moment.
@OP - you paint a nice vivid picture with your words
EPT
![[image loading]](http://macromeme.com/cat/people.png)
