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So also the tongue is a small member…

We were on our way home after a long two days at the Target HQ in Minneapolis. I was with two other bloggers, women who had become fast friends.

After making our way through the security checkpoint, we made a beeline for the first restaurant/bar we saw. It was almost dinnertime, but the airport was practically empty and the restaurant was as well.

Bags in tow, we waited for the hostess to seat us. Two older men sat at a table nearby in the bar area — men in suits, clearly businessmen enroute.

As I waited behind my friends, I could overhear the men talking. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but I overheard, “… girls …. ”

More mumbling and then ” …. Southern girls … ”

I am not accustomed to being the topic of male conversation, but I just knew they were talking about us. For one thing, we were the only “girls” in vicinity. And in my periphery, I could even see him looking our way.

I have no idea WHAT got into me. Honestly I do not make a habit of confronting strangers about … anything.

But before I had time to second-guess myself, I looked over my shoulder and looked Businessman #1 right in the eye with my best “Momma Look” and said with asperity, “We can hear you.”

And with that, I turned, squared my shoudlers and followed the hostess to the table she had prepared for us.

As I realized what I’d done, I was absolutely mortified. I sat down and started giggling nervously. I told the story to my friends, and we all shared a laugh. I don’t know what got into me!

We enjoyed wine and appetizers and dinner and then gathered our bags and smartphones and digital accoutrements and made our way to our gate.

Walking past the patrons sitting in chairs awaiting their call to board, I noticed a familiar looking suit.

As we made eye contact, I heard him say to his traveling companion, “Hey, that’s the girl who yelled at you in the restaurant!”

NO WAY! I couldn’t believe fate would have it that we’d cross paths again so soon.

Once again I threw caution to the wind and responded — this time with feigned indignance and a hint of a smile, “I didn’t yell. I simply made an observation.”

With that, he let down his guard and admitted sheepishly, “I was so embarrassed.”

I waved a hand like it was nothing, smiled and kept walking. I had no clue what else to say.

I made my way to the grouping of seats my friends had claimed and plopped down, laughing and relaying the story. We all got a good chuckle out of it, and fortunately, I never ran into him again.

But honestly, WHAT GOT INTO ME that night?

I do not recommend being sassy to outspoken men in airports (or anywhere, really). I must have been really tired to let down my guard. Fortunately he was good-humored, and I got a good story to tell out of it.

So the tongue also is a little member . . . how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!  ~James 3:5

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7 Responses

  1. What a fascinating encounter! I’m proud of you, honestly. You said it yourself: you gave him your “momma look.” It makes a lot of difference to be a mom. There’s a part of us (even though we’re no longer single, spring chickens) that realizes well how men and women should behave in public. You have two daughters. In 10 years, you wouldn’t want them to suffer this indignity, without saying something. j

    It’s really alarming how anonymous people feel they are, when they’re traveling. They will do things they wouldn’t do elsewhere — and I’m NOT referring to you! I’m referring to those men. They probably wouldn’t talk that way, just loud enough for female strangers to hear, at work or home or with their families. It was excellent of you to remind them gently that the same courteous behavior that’s required of them elsewhere, is also required of them HERE. Men should not be given an “out” just because they’re with women they don’t know. That is very, very dangerous for a society. Thank you for being a guard against such lowness! You done good 🙂

  2. I think I would just have been pleased to be called a “girl.” I have graduated to lady, woman, or mam, so being called a girl might not have been so bad after all.

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