Posted by wetbenang at Tuesday, October 10, 2006

SNUBBED BY SNAPPY, SNOOTY SNOBS

A few weeks ago, I saw an old friend at a reception. As we had not been in touch for more than four years, I was naturally quite excited to see him.
I went up to his table, which was just next to mine, said my greeting and shook hands with him. He gave me a perfunctory smile and turned back to his companions.
Surprised by this social faux pas, I asked him whether he remembered me. He said yes, and resumed his conversation with his friends at the table.
I felt a bit humiliated, but my face was saved a few minutes later when the reception came to an end and everybody left the room.
On the way home that night, I tried to remember what I might have had said or done four years ago that could have offended him so, but I couldn’t think of any. As far as I know, we were always on good terms. In fact, our last conversation had been over a very, very happy subject. A lady had found his lost wallet and called me (my business card was among the wallet’s contents) to find out how to return it to him.
So I got in touch with him with the good news and asked him to make arrangements to get his wallet back. It certainly was a happy occasion. No sour note, no harsh words, and he was very grateful.
And I had always made it a point not to make any comment about his then receding hairline.
So what was his problem that evening? I don’t normally speculate, but perhaps now that he is some corporate hot shot he has become such a snooty snob that he doesn’t associate with the little people like me.
Disappointed as I was, I did not lose any sleep over it. People change, I suppose, and life does go on.
And I took comfort in the fact that I still have a headful of healthy, shiny black hair while the only thing that shines about him now is his chrome dome.
Note: A longer version of this post appeared elsewhere some time ago.

 

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