Tuesday, June 5, 2012

human moments #1





Different people find different things funny, but sometimes we meet a kindred spirit with much the same sense of humour. It's a great way to connect.

Some years ago I worked with a middle-aged Indian man who had recently migrated to Australia with his family. We shared the normal, amicable relationship people do when they work in the same room.

One day we were in a lift, a very crowded lift, and at every floor, more and more people kept trying to fit themselves in. We both started to giggle when we found ourselves holding our arms close to our sides, then he asked, in a Groucho voice, “Say, is it my imagination or is it getting crowded in here?”

After that, there were many times when we would just quite naturally look at each other across our desks and share a laugh without saying a word.
Naturally I can’t remember his name, but I’d know that grin anywhere.


10 comments:

  1. It's like a blessing to find someone like that.

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    1. A blessing is an excellent way to describe it, Rubye.

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  2. Yes, those are lovely moments when we connect through humour :)

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    1. Just moments, Jayne, but very special ones :)

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  3. You wouldn't wanna pass wind :-).

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    1. I'm far too repressed to do any such thing in public. And I hate it when people do horse and cart just as they step out of a lift I am about to enter. And then at the next floor 16 people get in and all give me dirty looks. And there's a risk that if you did do something like that in a crowded lift it would break down between floors.

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  4. I agree with Rubye Jack. It's a huge blessing. And I think relationships are difficult when senses of humor do NOT match. It can be pretty uncomfortable at times.

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    1. It's important people can laugh at themselves as well as others, or just see the ridiculous side of things. Why, even when I'm whingeing in my posts I have to force myself to be serious and whiney to create the impression I know what I'm on about.

      You are quite right about relationships and humour, Dina. Everyone I've ever "clicked" with has had some sort of sense of humour. To be honest, humour is the cover of every human "book" I judge. [In fact the more I think about it the more I realise that this book thing could have saved me a dozen times over had I thought of it earlier.]

      I think a person's sense of humour is a good guide to their level of intelligence as well. [I am seriously funny, of course - as well as photogenic]. Where was I?... oh Yes. The Other is the funniest person I've ever met - and she is amusing as well.

      Then there are giggles. Giggles can be like fingerprints. The Other has the funniest giggle I've ever heard... except for my cousin who used to laugh like an asthmatic chook when he was hysterical.

      When I think of people from my past [may they RIP] I actually recall them laughing/ grinning or some funny incident or joke.

      Yep. rideo ergo sum - I laugh therefore I am. I just had to look that up so I'd know the word for "I laugh" and it went off on this big thing about Harry Potter. Now I know something about Harry Potter. It had to happen sooner or later.

      Can you tell I am avoiding doing something boring I should be doing?

      Thanks for dropping in and making me smile :)

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  5. WAAAAY too few people would make a joke out of everyday events like these! It's a gift, and should be rewarded!!

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