Its 10.15pm.
The flight apparently, was delayed by an hour.
Angry yells go up beside you. Airport officials yelling over people yelling.
No where to sit, except on the huge slabs of concrete on the floor.
Lucky for you, you brought your book along.
You take a seat on one of the 'free-er' slabs. Next to some poor dude that looks like he'd rather be else where. You give him a polite smile as you settle beside him and bring out your book.
'Thats a pretty good book, isnt it?' he says after a few minutes.
You look up for a second and take a look at him. He looks decent, you think.
'Yea it is actually.' You reply.
'Pretty mind boggling I thought it was.' He says again.
'Yea.' You answer, unsure.
'But then her other books got my mind racing as well.'  You add, as an afterthought.
'You should read 1984 by George Orwell too. Pretty intense stuff.'
'Really?'
...and that is how it began. Before you know it you are yakking on and on about books, and their themes, and plots. And How it affects the greater good of mankind.
Your book is currently long forgotten.
'British Airways ni. British Airways ni.' You over hear someone say.
'Well it looks like thats the flight Im waiting for.' You say.'It was nice talking to you...?'
'Seun. And you are?'
''Lola'
'Okay well, 'Lola. The pleasure is all mine.'
'If you want, I have that George Orwell book I was talking about. I could lend it to you sometime if you want?'
'Sure! I would like that actually.'
...and so you exchange numbers.

Why can't it always be like this?
Why must people be apalling and come up and say stuff to you like 'Bebe, you are looking sweet today. May I know you?'

Tell me, how would you like to be 'picked up'?

Comments (17)

On July 20, 2011 at 10:30 AM , SHE said...

Sounds like you guys actually had a proper conversation.

Maybe it wasn't actually a pick up? Perhaps he didn't set out thinking to get your number?

I like it when a person can carry on a sensible conversation.

 
On July 20, 2011 at 11:06 AM , Emaleecious said...

Love it when guys can show they think about other things....and challenge someone by sensible conversation...

 
On July 20, 2011 at 11:22 AM , leggy said...

i detest pick up lines, just come strike up a conversation. boys who can hold intelligent conversations have a higher chance of getting my number.

 
On July 20, 2011 at 2:22 PM , Myne said...

This is the best way of getting to know someone, only trouble is he may just want to be a friend/loan you the book while the girl is catching feelings, lol.

 
On July 20, 2011 at 2:38 PM , CerebrallyBusy said...

lool myne spoke my mind.

 
On July 20, 2011 at 3:50 PM , Nutty J. said...

Just the way you were picked up in this story..is how I'd liked to be picked up

 
On July 20, 2011 at 8:18 PM , Haha said...

Timing is EVERYTHING!! Someone else could have done the exact same thing he did and you would have reacted totally differently.

I'm with SHE...maybe it wasn't a pickup at all. Just right timing!

How i'd like to be picked up? Doesn't matter really, timing just has to be right. Okay now i'm being redundant...hehehe

 
On July 21, 2011 at 9:50 AM , 24yearOldTeEnAgeR said...

I once had a very intelligent conversation with a cab driver. This is highly unlikely in Nigeria. It made me happy. Learnt a valuable lesson from him too. Its a nice feeling.

 
On July 21, 2011 at 12:34 PM , 48 said...

I expect a certain level of class and confidence...other than that, no specific preference.

 
On July 22, 2011 at 8:27 AM , Etoile Oye said...

I agree with Haha. Sometimes, what we think is cute and sweet is just a matter of timing... and sometimes, the attractiveness of the person. What is sweet with one person can be perceived as stalker-ish when done by another. Good conversation is always a great start... and if you can make me laugh in our brief encounter, the chances of getting that number increases.

 
On July 22, 2011 at 8:28 AM , Etoile Oye said...

did that actually happen though?

 
On July 22, 2011 at 1:23 PM , Segun Omiyale said...

hmmmm....seems like u want to live in a perfect world. Sorry hunny, u'll always have the "you look hot" kinda first lines, and once in a blue moon, u might get the "hey, I'll actually love to talk to you" ones too. such is life

 
On July 22, 2011 at 4:58 PM , mizchif said...

Personally i quite prefer the hoots and hollers from my nna bros as i pass through the market.
"Hey, my colour" "Baby you know you are just my size, see as we match each other" LOL!

 
On July 25, 2011 at 5:10 PM , Sisi Yemmie said...

i actually like proper meetings like that rather than being 'waylaid' by a random stranger

 
On July 27, 2011 at 5:45 AM , doll (retired blogger) said...

i always liked to be introduced by someone, a friend or a friend's friend, i hate being hit on by strangers

 
On August 3, 2011 at 8:56 AM , funkola said...

this was a really nice way. i don't read books much so i'd be very comfortable talking travel and destinations or law stuff or even music.

 
On September 6, 2011 at 2:14 AM , Thoughtstreams said...

My kinda meeting really, I also detest obvious pick up lines.