1/24/2007

Who Are You?

I love mornings, especially when they start out in confusion.

In the coffee line, someone behind me tapped me on the shoulder and went into the whole Hi, how are you?! thing. First of all, that’s way too cheery a start before 8 a.m.

I turned to see who it was and gave the standard Not bad thanks, and you? Great! Everything okay with you these days? I grabbed my coffee and said Yep, see you and off I went. I know, this type of typical exchange occurs everywhere all the time but the difference today was, I’d never seen this guy before in my life.

A moment later, while walking through the lobby, someone else called out to me as they went by Hey! How’s it going!? I nodded back. Another one, no idea who that was.


I'm not sure who I look like today but clearly, it’s not me.

21 comments:

Old Lady said...

It's your doppleganger

Melinda June said...

that happens to me all the time. Wait until they start hugging you. Talk about bad touch.

Coaster Punchman said...

You know Dale, that was probably me. I meet a lot of people in the course of my work but sometimes forget how I know them, and almost always forget their names. (I've only just now started to remember yours.)

So when I see someone in public I think I recognize, I usually assume they are a client and I start sucking up. They usually play along and we have a fun fake conversation where we ask and answer all sorts of general questions, both of us trying not to let on that we have no clue. It's a great hobby - you should try it!

Zed said...

First the concierge, now these people. You're like a magnet for the lonely, the lost, and the confused.

Jill said...

I knew it!! You are an impostor!!!

Dale said...

It could be Old Lady. I do recall once crossing an intersection and seeing someone who looked vaguely familiar. I was face to face with my doppleganger. We both eyed each other suspiciously once we realized we looked like each other. Freaky.

Oh, that doesn't sound good at all Melinda J. I don't want anybody I haven't paid touching me.

Don't worry CP, I've had conversations like that too only it's soemone else that initiates them (maybe you?) and I just play along. What's your name again?

You've just described my day to day life Zed.

You say that like I'm the only one Jill.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

Maybe you can borrow some money from these new best friends of yours. Use it!

Tumuli said...

Perhaps you remind them of a long-lost (or little known) friend, associate, etc. After a while, everyone starts looking the same...

Dale said...

I'm on it Barbara. Tomorrow I'll be ready. And nobody will be there.

Sadly, you may be right Tumuli. Thanks for cheering me up.

mellowlee said...

years ago, before Devon was born, I was in the mall talking to my friend Rick. A guy comes up and starts chatting to us like we should know who he was. Rick was looking at me as if to say "Ok, who the hell is this guy!!" and I was looking back at him with a look that said " I have no clue, I thought you knew him!!" After the guy left we laughed it off, but it still kinda bothers me still :O)

jin said...

I bet you really did know them well, Dale.
Conclusion: You must be slowly going insane.

Short trip?

Cup said...

Ewwww. Morning perkies. They should be doused with that morning's dark roast.

Anonymous said...

You modest man, you. Maybe you just look like someone everyone WANTS to know.

Holly

nouseforaname said...

no drunken nights waking in strange beds you want to share with us huh Dale... You know, I gave you a key and said go forth make some friends, I didn't mean go whore and get all friendly on me.... get back in that cage babe- I think safer...

chelene said...

Just punch the perky people in the face. They'll never mistake you for anyone else ever again.

Dale said...

Mel, I can put your mind at ease. It was me. And I meant no harm. I'm the guy who sees the grocery clerk's nametag and says 'How are you doing Susan?' just to see their reaction.

The trip hasn't been that short or slow Jin. In fact, it's so fucked up, for a while there, I thought I was going to be okay!

Morning perkies, are we talking about the same thing Beth?

I'm pretty no name brand Holly so I dunno. You may be wrong just this once.

Oh, it's all there Shroom-Monkey but it's on my secret blog.

I have to go for a break right now, just because, and I'm going to punch someone. I hope they have Blogger in jail.

Allison said...

I am almost now just coming back to read your 'labels.' Other Beta bloggers should use that potential.

Dale said...

Almost won't do it for me Allison. I must have you coming here just for that. I'll endeavour to improve your returns.

Tenacious S said...

When I used to work at Starbucks many moons ago, customers would recognize me on the street and say hi. Half the time I had no idea who they were.

X. Dell said...

Maybe it's some kind of weird karma. Maybe you were perky and friendly in another life.

Dale said...

That would be offputting a little Tenacious S. I guess if they shouted drink orders at you, you might have had a chance.

Oh fuck, I hope not, X. Dell. I'm saving that life for last.