Without a glance in my direction, he muttered, “Err… I want to meet ***** ma’am.”
I replied, “She isn’t here.”
He continued, eyes still glued to his screen, “Err… otherwise I want to meet…” trailing off as he scrolled through his phone, apparently searching for his next thought or perhaps the name of someone else.
There was still no “hello,” no recognition that he was in someone else’s office, or any sign of basic courtesy.
I said, with a tone that could only be described as tired pity, “It’s 8:40. No one is here yet.”
He responded, “Oh, I’m sorry,” but his eyes remained lowered, focused on his phone.
He turned and left, finally looking up to meet my gaze just as he reached the door. Then, without another word, he exited, leaving behind an air of normalcy; as if this encounter was utterly routine for him.
This may indeed be his ‘normal,’ but it leaves me wondering just how much human interaction have changed over generations!
