I touch or tip my hat to ladies I pass. I might even say good day if they smile in response. I'll hold a door for ladies, the infirm or aged. I'm not a boor in my social behavior. I simply do not invite familiarity. I've even been known to cover someone's purchases in a grocery store if they are short moneys and appear to be "in need.," The only conversation would be a "thank you" and a "you're most welcome." Hopefully, when they are in a position to, they'll "pay it forward." I don't want to be their friend, just an anonymous benefactor when one is required.
I'm civil not, a glad handing, intrusive individual.
I'm much the same. But I wouldn't rebuff someone who's just being friendly, even if I'm not really in the mood or would prefer to be left in peace. Angels in disguise and all that.
Sometimes, rather trying individuals who grab at one's pipe smoking or choice of motorcycle to initiate a conversation are just lonely.
A few years ago, I was at a well known bike meet in a little seaside town on the south coast of England. I had a small band of friends who rode together regularly and we'd meet up there. Mostly I went there to catch up with my friends and otherwise kept myself to myself.
In summer the place is thronged with non-biking tourists and day trippers. Some just go to ogle the bikes and you always get old boys who love to collar you and talk about the bikes they used to ride 50 years ago. It can get repetitive and a little tedious, but such is the nature of the place.
On this occasion, one such old chap ambushed me just as I was thinking about leaving and started banging on about the Tiger Cub or whatever it was he used to have.
It would have been easy to make my excuses and slide away but for some reason I didn't that day. We ended up having a cup of tea together and a proper chat. It turned out he had met his wife at this place 60 years ago when he used to go there on his bike. They'd had their honeymoon there and they came back ever since on their anniversary, although now just in the car.
She had died a few months ago, today was their anniversary and he'd come back on his own in memory of her. He became quite emotional. They hadn't had any children and he confessed that he'd never felt so low and didn't know how he was going to keep going on his own or even if he wanted to.
I introduced him to some of my friends who were locals and were there without fail every weekend, some staying all day just to talk bikes, and to the guy who ran the little coffee and burger hut that gave discount to bikers. We told him that if ever he felt low he could always come here and he could always sit with us and talk bikes (he was very knowledgeable on bikes actually and not just a wannabe).
I don't live in that area any more but I hope this old boy found some friends and some purpose there and I'm glad that on that day I didn't walk away.
