I'm standing at the bus stop near my home. It's cold, a little gray - and I'm in a delicious mood - just like that. I smile at a gentleman standing freezing at the bus stop on his bike. He is a little dark-skinned - bearded - and seems to experience our winter weather as particularly cold. He smiles back - almost relieved. The bike glows yellow.
Suddenly, a Chinese man, apparently a tourist, storms across the road towards this gentleman! He smiles at him too, speaks a few words in Chinese, lifts the bike surprisingly quickly and enthusiastically indicates how heavy it is - he speaks with his hands and feet.
The gentleman with the bike - I'll just call him that now - is completely irritated and almost unable to move. He looks frozen.
Then, in another moment, the Chinese man gets on his bike - fast, very familiar, a good cyclist - and rides a few meters along the sidewalk.
The "owner" is now completely perplexed, runs alongside the bike, shouts "Stop!" and stops it after about 15 meters. He is very excited, pale and upset - almost angry. His face is a mask of tension, his body rigid.
The Chinese man dismounts, laughs, pats the bearded gentleman on the shoulder, points to the bike and shows him with his thumb that it is excellent. He waves to his wife, who now also joins the group around the bike. She takes photos of her husband, the bike and all of us and is also delighted.
The bearded gentleman, relieved and relaxed again, says something like: "Me, Chile!" and the Chinese man says something like: "Me, China!" Both hug each other, another victory sign, a wave - and the "visitor" and his wife walk back across the street to their friends. They laugh, talk excitedly, share their thoughts.
The Chilean now turns to me - almost apologetically:
"I'm from South America, from Chile. In our neighborhood, the bike would surely have been stolen - he just wanted to try it out - that was incredible!"
Yes, it's incredible how we - coming from different countries - have different behaviors, perceptions, ideas about "the others". We are equipped with prejudices, concepts, a rigid mind-set and interpret the world accordingly.
And in the truest sense of the word, it is wonderful how a genuine smile, acknowledgement, a few touches - a pat on the back, attempts at communication, friendliness - can change everything! The Chilean now sees his bike with different eyes.
I get on the bus - still smiling, fulfilled - and greet the bus driver, who is surprised :-).
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