What a difference a smile can make

[se22cat]

I had to venture out on Wednesday morning, despite being in the middle of the Flu From Hell which actually got worse, two weeks in. I fought my way up the stairs of a 176 about 08.30 and there was 1 seat left, right at the back, the fever must have kicked in, as I swear I saw a Metal Gear style "!" appear over it. I precariously made my way down the aisle, just as the bus turned at Goose Green roundabout and had just managed to mumble an "excuse me" to the guy in the corner who had his bag on it, then as I attempted to manoeuvre my oversized gluteus maximus into the hallowed space, the bus suddenly stopped and I found myself with my hands on the back window, having almost fallen on top of the young, dashingly good looking geezer in the seat next to the one I was hoping to occupy.

Rather than the usual expected remark, look of derision, or tut in circumstances such as these, I was instead met with a genuinely friendly smile and "you al right there?" which was so nice, it really restored a lot of faith in humanity for me.

So I just wanted to put this down to say, well, how we behave towards total strangers can mean a lot. Thanks geezer, whoever you are, it was the start to an emotionally difficult day and I really appreciate your humanity.