Waiting Rooms

The other day I took my car to the shop for an oil change and emissions test (state of Missouri requirement). I didn't do a drop-off. I decided to wait for it. If it took an hour or two... that was fine. I had nothing else on my schedule. I walked into the waiting room and there was an elderly lady sitting there alone waiting for her car, too. She looked like she was about 80 and she had a walker next to her.

Unlike most people, when I'm in a waiting room or standing in line, I'd rather have human interaction through conversation than bury my nose in my cell phone. It happens less and less these days because people seem to prefer the latter. I find that disturbing and sad. People don't even look up from their phones any more to canvas the room and see who else is there. I realize not everybody is into talking to strangers but I don't think using the phone as an excuse not to engage isn't ideal either. smh

Anyhow, I sat down across from her and within a few minutes, I struck up a conversation with his lady. We didn't talk about anything earth-shattering.. grandkids, tv shows, gardening... no politics. We talked about 20 minutes. Someone came into the waiting room to tell her that her car was ready. She stood up with some difficulty and leaned on her walker. I offered assistance. She refused and said she was fine. Then she looked at me and thanked me for taking the time to talk to her. I wanted to cry because I just had the feeling that like so many old people (I'm quickly becoming one of them), she's lonely and feels overlooked and ignored. I will probably never see that woman again, but so what? Showing interest in what somebody else has to say and listening to them even for a few minutes can be truly rewarding. If they don't seem receptive then I leave them alone. But that's not usually my experience.

When you guys are in waiting rooms, what do YOU do?

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