Train Conversations
Table of Contents
In my working life I must have travelled tens of thousands of miles – or more counting long haul flights. Otherwise, driving or, my preference –first class rail.
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– I generally I didn’t talk to fellow passengers on any form of transport – unless I had to. I was often catching up with reading or other work. I have even, at times, when I had to get some work done, worn headphones on trains without any music playing, just to remain icognito..
I’m not anti -social – I don’t think. I just assumed that the chances of me randomly coming across someone interesting were very remote.
The Cattle Wagon
However, the only time I have struck up an extended conversation with fellow travellers – I was on a London to Manchester, train – a journey –I had done hundreds of times.
It was the dreaded, 18.00 Friday out of Euston – the first cheap cattle wagon – which I had often survived in standard class. in the early days of my self-employment. In fact, I had, latterly, got to the stage where I upgraded to first class with my own money, as I had done in this case – the expenses covered by the registered educational charity, which was often paying me – limited by the rules i.e. standard class rail only).
As it happens, the train was quite busy, even in first class, and I was sat alone at a table for four ( as an expert in train seat tactics – I was always looking to board as early as possible). The table soon filled with three youmg lady passengers – which may have had some relevance to future events – I have always been comfortable talking to woman. Being brought up with a sister, eighteen months younger than me and her bringing friends home – is probably the origins of my comfort in the company of woman – I started early.
It would eventually become clear that they – didn’t know each other and and they/we all been in London for work.
To begin with we were all doing what was apparently work. – One seemed to be manually editing a text manuscript of some sort, the second appeared to be adding to sketches in a portfolio and the third was reading very carefully through what looked like glossy promotional leaflets. I was intrigued.
I was just reading through the delegate assessment forms -commonly called ‘the ‘Happy ‘Sheets’ (by me, anyway!) for the two day short course I had just finished.
After about half an hour. I got up to go to the buffet for a drink, as was my habit after a hard couple of days work – or even one day.
I was sat in an aisle seat (N.B.- less chance of somebody trying to sit in the empty window seat next to you if they have to move you – lesson two in inter-city train seat strategies – lesson one was try to get on first)). In this case I had been stood up before she even asked if the seat was free.
For the first time ever, I initiated – what became, a pleasent conversation. I said – ‘excuse me, but – I’m going to the buffet bar – can I get anyone anything?
Risky
The risk was – three, abrupt ‘no thanks’ and a silent journey home. But, I was by then, what I considered, a professional communicator, and had picked up on the ambiance – a few smiles, the odd hello ‘ -‘I’ll move that out of your way ‘ etc. and I mitigated their reaction by adding – ‘It’s Friday evening and I bet we are all knackered. just chill out and have what you want. I fancy a brandy & soda.’
It wasn’t thrown back in my face. One had a white wine, two had a g & t.
The one opposite me, called Kath, even came with me to help carry them back.
Anne, Kath, and Lynn
One of the best rounds I have ever bought which led to a fascinating couple of hours:
The first, Anne, was an editor of children’s books – just picked up a new manuscript at the London publishers – but couldn’t reveal what it was at the moment – (I like to think it was the first Harry Potter! – timing would have been about right – imagine that!))
Next – Kath – designer of baby and young children’s clothes – had been in London doing a new range presentation to Mothercare – gave us a look at some of her sketches – worth framing.
Next – conference manager, Lynn, in a large hotel in Sussex – converted stately home – offering training, syndicate and meeting rooms – and conference facility up to 300 delegates – with occasional wedding receptions and other celebrations and a full residential facility.
And me – (short version in case you have read the “About BoftheBang’ posts)
Background in Export Management then twenty years as an FE college Lecturer and -now/then freelance trainer, writer and consultant in International Trade,
Did a lot of seminar work in London venues.
Lynn, gave me a new promotional leaflet as a possible venue – looked OK – I never got there – location didn’t do it.
Pleasant and interesting, conversation ensued – how we got into the jobs we did, future plans – even marital status, children etc. right until we got into Manchester Piccadilly – the fastest journey from London I had ever had.
The eldest -(I guess) – Anne – actually said that it was the fastest and most interesting London – Manchester trip she had done and thanked me for hosting them – nice thought. I said it was entirely my pleasure.
I didn’t suddenly get less anti-social – it was a pleasant interlude – but it was a one off and I didn’t risk it again.