In Charge

You know the old question –
“And just who appointed you in charge [god/goddess/deity/queen/fill-in-the-blank]?” Or variations on the theme.

I have said it a few times and had it directed to me more than once when I just sort of took over because no one else was willing to accept control or responsibility. Having said all of that – this morning I decided that it is not me. Or rather, I am not putting myself in charge, everyone else is.

Let me explain. Lufthansa is the main carrier out of Frankfurt Airport. As a result, there are a lot of people flying on Lufthansa planes on any one day. Add to that all of those other airlines which belong to Star Alliance. Since this is a weekday, the terminal is inundated with business travelers of whom more than a few fly rather often. This in turn means that there are a significant number of frequent travelers in the crowd. The end result of which is that the Lufthansa lounge is packed.

I walk in, assess the situation and grab a coffee. Looking around there are essentially no free chairs or tables in the lounge section. The usual suspects have managed to spread their newspapers enough to deny space to others. On of the high tables with four chairs has an empty place back in a corner which I promptly snag before it vanishes. A second run nets me bread and spread along with a glass of juice. There are two others at the table.

I nod but don’t ask if I can sit down – why give them an opportunity to be asses? After that, as people leave each and every person asks me if this, that or the third place is free. Remember, I am in the back corner near the window with my back to the coatrack. Not an especially favorable location to tell the truth but it lets me stay out of the traffic pattern and watch the planes out the window.

My flight doesn’t board till 0945 so it is not like I am going to be hanging anywhere else for a while. And every 15-30 minutes I am asked about free places at the table. I am about to toss out the various papers to see if that stops the questions but I doubt it. Are they being polite to one of the 20% of the population in the lounge that is female?

Or I do I just look at forbidding?

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7 Responses to In Charge

  1. Pat says:

    so somewhere in all the emails I lost something…why all the travel? It seems you have been non-stop.
    I find your travels interesting and many of the comments make me laugh.

  2. You inspire politeness and that’s a good thing.

  3. AlisonH says:

    I’m guessing you’re the only one who was paying attention to those around you, and thus they needed to join you in conversation before joining you in person, since clearly you were going to notice their behavior. In other words, as was previously commented, you inspired politeness. Well done!

  4. Ann says:

    Polite? Do they not ask the 80% male population? Only the women? Would you feel better if they just sat down? Don’t fret about it…enjoy your corner.

  5. Carmen says:

    Wow, you are living the Life!!

  6. Bill says:

    Honey, you got luxury problems…..
    Bill R
    Waaaaa (:>))

  7. Mark says:

    You look foreboding.

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