"a woman can be overdressed but never over elegant." - coco chanel
would you believe it! i've been out most of the day and yet i've not taken even one photograph. but the only thing that was interesting enough to shoot were people in all state of undress. it was hot and humid today in good old toronto. and we're expecting mid-30's temperatures for the weekend.
i was reading my book on the train when an older woman sat beside me and started to rant about people being so engrossed in their phones and electronics...blah, blah, blah! she was really loud that i had to stop reading and discovered she was talking to me, for which i apologized because frankly i thought she was a little bit lacking a screw in her head. so i faced her, started to nod, and agreed in my softest and sympathetic voice. i could be such an actress sometimes, you know! then i don't know how and why but her rant had switched to politics and i continued to listen. luckily she got off after three stops. before i opened my tablet again to resume my reading, i looked at the other passengers who were staring at me and they started to smile. to which i made a gesture of wiping my forehead and exclaimed "whew!" an elderly gentleman said, "you handled that very well, miss. if she had sat beside me, i would've smacked her silly." i made no comment. i just resumed my reading.
what would you have done?
-o0o-
for week 26 of the 52-week challenge. the fare this week for the creative category is either high key or low key. obviously i've chosen low key.
IMO you were extremely forebearing under considerable duress. (a) I'd've probably ignored her; and (b) I'd've smirked. I've never been accused of being elegant, I was behind the door when that was handed out, but I do like the elegance of your photo.
I would have liked to see if the old guy got smacked back! I used to find it hard not to engage with the odd and slightly flakey ... a mixture of curiosity, manners and fear ... we are all walking a line of some sort. Stylish lighting in your scene!
Apparently not only are you disciplined in elegance but in social skills! A beautiful photo of your elegance. A terrific story about your social skills. Sometimes people just need to rant. They don’t necessarily want you to agree with them they just want their voice to be heard you loud to her that opportunity. Kudos to you I’m not sure what I would’ve done. It would have the candidates on my mood I guess
You were smart just to listen. If you had started offering your ideas and viewpoints your story would have taken a different turn. It’s so hard for me to keep my mouth shut. I applaud your civility, Vikki! This is a lovely photo, it certainly does illustrate elegance.
gaaaaah! i prolly would have kept reading... or at least kept trying to read... although i have been known to take a similar "nod and smile" approach i would be more likely to excuse myself and jump out at the next station, no matter where that station left me... you have the patience of a saint!
Beautiful elegant photo. I think you handled the situation perfectly, with elegance and grace. She probably would not have given you a chance to respond.
A lovely low key still life and it is very elegant. I think that you treated her respectfully by listening to her. There's a good chance she doesn't get that much.
I too applaud your listening approach. You probably perked up her day considerably. I might have followed your example, but not necessarily on every occasion. Elegance is something I don't know a lot about, but I'm pretty sure you do - as with high key. Top marks all round!
