Yesterday, I found myself trapped under some dingy scaffolding a midst dirty brown puddles in Soho watching rain pour down from the skies, brushing quite a quantity of droplets from my suit jacket and hair as best as I could and chiding myself for my personal philosophy against owning umbrellas, particularly in London. It was cold and wet. In June. I was semi-lost and looking entirely too much like a drowned rat. When I heard a barely audible "excuse me miss" coming from my left-hand side, I was wholly expecting an indigent request for some spare change but instead was greeted with:
"Excuse me miss. I apologize for the weather. I wish I could tell you it is going to get better but sadly I'm afraid it won't."
And off the man went on his way. I burst out laughing, I couldn't help it. Sir, whoever you are, you were the sunshine-y highlight of my day. Only the British and only in London... I love this town.
haha! Love it! It's persisting down again today!!
ReplyDeleteLOL...that's awesome. I just pictured Colin Firth saying that:D
ReplyDeleteOnly in London? Hey, we have characters like that in DC too! Was the dude wearing pants? The guys like that in DC usually aren't wearing any pants...so perhaps London is a little different. :)
ReplyDeleteThe US eagerly awaits your return.
I got caught in the rain a few times over these past couple of days too. aside from loving every minute of it (I don't own umbrellas either), I crossed path with an old guy wearing an even older black suit, braving not just the rain but also the wind (picture water coming from all directions), a crumbled cigarette dangling out of his mouth, flashing me the biggest smile possible. we were the only two not pissed off by the rain and the only two getting the hilarity of the situation. I love London too :)
ReplyDeleteWow my first thought was, how polite!!
ReplyDeleteHa! That is great. Funny how something so small can have a huge effect on our day.
ReplyDelete:) what a friendly surprise~
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh--- what a fantastic anecdote! I love it!
ReplyDelete~Alexis Grace of North On Harper
Haha, I love this! It is so fantastic! Made me laugh too!
ReplyDeletei do own an umbrella. i bought one for the first time in my life this year. but i only use it in the early mornings if it's pouring down and freezing to take our little miss marla out to poop. because if she could read she would definitely take some magazine with her. it's her ritual to take as much time as possible first thing in the morning. my tiny little old umbrella makes me a lot less grumpy on those mornings.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that's hilarious and awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat is SO British! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteHA! What a great sense of humor :-) And it's quite brave of you to be hanging around London without an umbrella!
ReplyDeleteThat is SO awesome. I really have to visit London.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! We've had the same cold, rainy weather the last couple of days. I hope it clears up before you leave!!!
ReplyDeleteAww how sweet! I am always so surprised about the kindness of strangers:)
ReplyDeleteOh my word--I love this so much!
ReplyDeleteaw thats London for you. it is sunny at the moment and apparently there's a storm tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteKatrina Sophia Blog
Haha, that´s wonderful! :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://tinajoathome.com/
The British do have their way with words! Hope you're staying dry before you head off to New York!
ReplyDeleteI'm imagining his words with a British accent. This kind of surprise does make one's day.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, the best apology I've ever heard. I've never been to London, but if I ever do, I hope I find a character like that. Oh heck, it doesn't have to be London. I hope I find a character like that anywhere. I hope the rain lets up for you. ps.: I love this anecdote. When are you going to write your book woman? This could totally expand into a short story.
ReplyDeleteI love when people, particularly strangers, help cheer people up. It's especially special in a big city.
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