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Because I would've been looking pretty funny if they did.
It's definitely not something I'm proud of, but I find myself becoming increasingly allergic to small talk. Rationally, I do of course know that small talk isn't a bad thing -- but then, neither are peanuts, per se -- and that this would be a pretty drab world if there was only deep, meaningful conversation or, if that's not possible, silence. I'm also aware that small talk is what one does at parties, especially at parties where one knows maybe five out of forty people. Still, I don't like it.
Another allergy is due to random application of rules.
I don't usually fly within the EU with hand luggage only, so I admit to a certain lack of experience, but the following dialogue yesterday at Innsbruck airport increased my blood pressure. A lot.
Security guard: Are you carrying any liquids?
Me: Only perfume, and it's a half-empty 100ml bottle, i.e. below the limit.
SG: You have to take it out and put it into this plastic bag all the same.
Me: OK, here you go.
SG: *peering into my bag* You said only perfume, but this is cream, isn't it?
Me: Yes, but you were asking for liquids. Cream isn't a liquid.
SG: Yes, it is.
Me, sighing: OK, here's the cream. What about the deodorant?
SG: That's not a liquid.
Me: Unlike the cream, it *is* liquid, though. Why is the cream, which isn't liquid, a liquid, and the deodorant, which is liquid, isn't?
SG: shrugs
Me: What about the asthma inhaler?
SG, paternally: Now we won't be too strict, will we?
Me: o_O
SG: What's this?
Me: Deodorant.
SG: But that's... *moves deodorant* ...liquid!
Me: I *told* you it was.
SG: Well, it has to go into the plastic bag.
Me: What about the small cream bottles? They contain cream.
SG: No, those can stay.
Me: You said the quantity isn't important. So why can they stay?
I think I'm going to write to the company who runs the airport, because I'd really like to know what they have to say.
In spite of obnoxious security guards and small talk, it was a nice two days. Picspam of glorious Tyrolean winter day will follow once I'm back in Skopje. One more cup of tea now, and then running. Later on shopping of the non-glamorous kind, then I'll see my mother, and tonight Janine and I are going to have dinner at her favourite Mexican place.
Last, the ceterum censeo: I'm *so* looking forward to going home tomorrow!
It's definitely not something I'm proud of, but I find myself becoming increasingly allergic to small talk. Rationally, I do of course know that small talk isn't a bad thing -- but then, neither are peanuts, per se -- and that this would be a pretty drab world if there was only deep, meaningful conversation or, if that's not possible, silence. I'm also aware that small talk is what one does at parties, especially at parties where one knows maybe five out of forty people. Still, I don't like it.
Another allergy is due to random application of rules.
I don't usually fly within the EU with hand luggage only, so I admit to a certain lack of experience, but the following dialogue yesterday at Innsbruck airport increased my blood pressure. A lot.
Security guard: Are you carrying any liquids?
Me: Only perfume, and it's a half-empty 100ml bottle, i.e. below the limit.
SG: You have to take it out and put it into this plastic bag all the same.
Me: OK, here you go.
SG: *peering into my bag* You said only perfume, but this is cream, isn't it?
Me: Yes, but you were asking for liquids. Cream isn't a liquid.
SG: Yes, it is.
Me, sighing: OK, here's the cream. What about the deodorant?
SG: That's not a liquid.
Me: Unlike the cream, it *is* liquid, though. Why is the cream, which isn't liquid, a liquid, and the deodorant, which is liquid, isn't?
SG: shrugs
Me: What about the asthma inhaler?
SG, paternally: Now we won't be too strict, will we?
Me: o_O
SG: What's this?
Me: Deodorant.
SG: But that's... *moves deodorant* ...liquid!
Me: I *told* you it was.
SG: Well, it has to go into the plastic bag.
Me: What about the small cream bottles? They contain cream.
SG: No, those can stay.
Me: You said the quantity isn't important. So why can they stay?
I think I'm going to write to the company who runs the airport, because I'd really like to know what they have to say.
In spite of obnoxious security guards and small talk, it was a nice two days. Picspam of glorious Tyrolean winter day will follow once I'm back in Skopje. One more cup of tea now, and then running. Later on shopping of the non-glamorous kind, then I'll see my mother, and tonight Janine and I are going to have dinner at her favourite Mexican place.
Last, the ceterum censeo: I'm *so* looking forward to going home tomorrow!
