Overheard in the Hotel Lounge: “I Wonder What the Temperature Is in Philadelphia?”

Did I need to know?

Photo by HH E on Unsplash

It takes all sorts to make the world go round.

We humans are fascinating creatures. When travelling, it’s a good opportunity to have conversations and learn more about those we meet. Sometimes, though, you come across those who want you to know something about them without engaging in conversation.

Here’s a little story about one such incident recently experienced whilst staying at a hotel¹.

After dinner, Mrs M and I decided we would sit in the hotel lounge and enjoy a drink. For me, it was a Guinness Zero, whilst Mrs M’s chosen delight was a hot chocolate, which she assured me was ‘very good’.

In the hotel, a log fire was kept well alight in the lounge, making it a delightful place to relax. We obtained our drinks and walked into the lounge to find that a middle-aged couple had moved two high-back chairs close to the fire, facing it, and inserted a coffee table between them. The fire was completely hidden by them, taking away the atmosphere that guests love. At the time, these were the only two in the room.

We took our seat in a sofa not far from them to enjoy our drinks. They didn’t acknowledge us and began conversing with each other. She: “ I wonder what the temperature is in Philadelphia?” He starts searching on his phone for the answer. She then talks about when they visited the city. Only short sentences were spoken between them and, especially from her, loud enough to be heard. We moved on to another city in the US, and then another. They have been everywhere!

Mrs M finished her drink before me and headed off to our room. Not long afterwards, another couple came into the lounge and sat opposite me.

Having been quiet for a few minutes, the man spoke up and said, “Just confirmed the temperature in Philadelphia is ….”. And off we go! The same cities, the same story. How sad that some have to live out their lives trying to impress others.

Being a bit of a teaser, I was sorely tempted to play Top Trumps and, being sat on my own, my thoughts did turn towards creating an imaginary phone call. I resisted, but it would have gone something like this.

“Hi Peter. Thanks for the message. I thought it best to phone you about the car. I haven’t got that one yet in my collection. So, is it a Ferrari 356 GTB? 1973? What’s the mileage? Under 44,000 - not bad. £445,000 is a bit top-heavy unless it’s absolutely immaculate. So, a full respray and interior renovation. OK. I will take a look. Send me the photos first and I will pop over and look at it.”

Touché!

I wonder what they would have done? Maybe switched from US to Monte Carlo stories?

Just two persons making up part of life’s rich tapestry. I think it’s sad that some have to try to impress in this way. Have you come across a situation like this? Let me know in the comments.

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