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Intuition

viasylvia

Updated: Nov 3, 2024


I must be really trustworthy. Regularly I sit next to someone in the ICE or Thalys who throws his or her e-reader, wallet, passport, in short all valuables in my lap and asks if I can look after them for a moment because he/she has to go to the toilet. I sometimes wonder if I should say something. How well do these people know me and isn't that risky?


But yes, they are right. I am indeed the good type. I will never take advantage, have never even looked curiously into a given bag or wallet and feel responsible and honored to be allowed to guard those belongings.


I also pay attention to whom I sit next to on the train, and the moment you sit NEXT to someone you already make a choice whether that person can be trusted. Otherwise you wouldn't sit next to them, would you? A friendly nod, it's okay. Or a relaxed sleep-deprived traveler, fine. A fine travelling companionship to have next to me.


I once experienced that the train was very crowded, far too full to seat everyone. A man suggested 'Perhaps I can sit on your lap', he thought it was a funny joke. I replied back 'Guess I can express a preference for whom then' looking around. On someone's lap is very intimate of course, though sitting next to someone actually can also easily be experienced 'too' close, unless of course in love. Personal space in a crowded train is no obvious thing.


I have also experienced really annoying people on the train that you would prefer to be far from. Hooligans, for example. Noisy busy drunk people banging on the windows and shouting. And you don't want to know what they shout either, you should be happy if they ignore you and the shouting is directed at someone else. The conductor is then nowhere to be seen. And everyone outside the restless group is bothered by it and sits on their cell phones or looking outside the window with intensity untill their stop allows them to get off. And quickly they go!


When you travel you trust or distrust the people around you, it's a big part of using your intuition. You can't help but judge people, categorize them. For your own safety. That granny, is probably going to visit and will soon have a knitting or no...a modern smartphone...surprising. That guy who goes to the beach, flip flops, towel with him...it's either that or the gym. He has the right body for topless. That lady opposite.. goes to the office......That retired man with a camera is a bird watcher...probably.


Pure intuition.

And potentially very dangerous.


Who knows where these people are thinking about and are really going? And then would you want to sit NEXT to them? And are you going to ask them?

'I really want to know more about your destination and how you think about the world BEFORE I sit next to you, because it's quite close and I don't really know you at all.'


And suppose that people tell very openly without any taboo about their sexual escapades, their strange collections or hobbies, their problems with in-laws, religion, or anything else that might bring a blame on trust. Then what? Then you still can't judge that.


So intuition remains true. Intuition is good.


Feel free to give me your wallet if you need to go to the bathroom anytime.





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