Nothing in life is easy or simple. And if you think otherwise, you are fooling yourself. I learned that a long time ago.
I'm on my way to California, from Afghanistan. Long trip, but i'm ready. I leave Kabul without incident. Arrive in Instanbul, Turkey. Moderate flight length. 5.5 hours. I'm in the business lounge, and the next table over, is a pretty lady, pushing 30. These blokes from Libya are at her table, and i can hear her saying...."NO, I'm not going to marry you". Two of them. And one is really pouring on the charm. Heavy accent, but english. The lady is hanging in there, holding her own. "What part of NO don't you understand". Stuff like that. So i ask her if she would like to join me at my table, and she says thank you , but that would mean she needed help, and she can "take care" of these two. So I just smile, and tell her that all she has to do is wink, and i'll be right there. And I should probably add, I'm drinking, not heavy, but more than moderate. And anyone that doesn't know, when you fly business class, the booze in the business class lounge is buffet style, all you can drink, and free.
Eventually, I'm really starting to feel badly for this lady, so I come over to their table, and introduce myself, and sit down. The one aggressive bloke stops smiling at the lady, and looks at me. So I just smile, and say that as loud as he was, everyone in the place can hear every word, so i might as well just come over and be a part of this "stimulating" conversation. The lady looks at me, bravely, but i can tell she's starting to wear down.
My presence there definately has a calming effect on the bloke, which was my intention. I get another bourbon, and then head to the restroom.
....on the way out, i was met by four security people! They want me to leave. So i'm like fine... let me get my coat (had my wallet in it) and my hand luggage. NO sir, you must leave right now.
....I've been on this blue marble long enough to know when to argue and when not to. this was not the time to argue. They escorted me out of the loung, and into the lobby, and told me goodbye. So i wait a while, and then proceed to the front desk of the business lounge, and wait. and wait. an hour goes by, and finally the lady at the desk reluctantly begins to aknowledge me. I tell her that i still need my coat and luggage. 20 minutes later, it's brought out to me. wallet and cash intact. passport and luggage intact. I have everything.
Now I know what you blokes are thinking. Yeah, I was loud. But security cleared the whole table over a 20 minute period, by waiting til the "guest" left to the restroom, and that is when they approach.
This thing could have turned out a whole helluva lot worse. I could have went to jail, lost my passport, or....?
So that's the incident.
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Originally Posted by Times Roman
