strange gentlemen

on the bus ride home today i happened to sit beside an elderly man. he excused himself and asked me where i am from. not an unusual question but it quite unusual for conversation in a bus. such situations are extremely intimidating. however, this gentleman and along with his two other comrades were a class apart from the modern man. unlike their contemporary counterparts, the golden oldies have manners and they have respect.

i wouldn't advise anyone to willingly speak to elderly men (especially young girls) on a bus, but this seemed like a one off case of sincerity. they bid goodbye when they alighted, all of them at different stops. the last one to alight even complimented me. this generosity of spirit is hard to come by. but i must say, such encounters do make life bearable.