A Stranger

Today's beans at Strangers' Reunion were too delicate and dainty. Me no like. The piccolo latte, was, how should I put it, too elegant. It wasn't robust. Not the barista's fault. I blame it on the beans of the week. Sarnies, Forty Hands and Smitten have spoilt me in terms of beans preferred.

Anyway, we were there for a light bite at tea. Love their freshly squeezed juices. Their waffles work. So do the choices for yoghurt. Didn't bother with their sandwiches. Brunch at the friends' was so good, and too heavy.

There was an Ah Beng seated next to us. He sipped a glass of iced chocolate and yakked on the phone loudly in Hokkien, gossiping about his customers at the pub who opened bottles. He went out for 2 smoke breaks while we were there, and another 2 times to continue laughing really loudly with his friends. In between, he played games on the iPhone. The games made chirps and sounds. Not too loud, but enough for my sensitive ears to pick up. But I didn't tell him to keep it down. It hovered at the level where I could still tune it out.

You know the front door to Strangers' Reunion? The door that requires some attention to close it because it isn't automated? I sat right next to it. People trooped in and out. Many conveniently forgot to close the door on their way in or on their way out. Cool air, blast of heat, cool air, blast of heat. It was a very hot day. GROWL. I wasn't in a mood to let it go. I could have just reached out to close it. But after doing it twice, I said, cheerfully, "Hey, the door!" to the next few people who left it open. They did turn around sheepishly to close it. I'm NOT PAID to close doors after you, just like I'm NOT PAID OR MORALLY OBLIGATED to hold lift doors for you without so much so as a nod of acknowledgment. But I won't jab ferociously at 'Door Close' or stare at you without action, if I see you running to the lift.

So. The Ah Beng. He went in and out of the door many times. He was the only one who remembered about closing the door after himself, each time, before he heard me say anything about it to anyone else. What a nice guy.