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Little Gestures

FADE IN

INT: AN AIRPORT TERMINAL FILLED WITH PASSENGERS AND STAFF. THE DAYLIGHT MAKING ITS WAY INSIDE THROUGH HUGE WINDOWS. A PASSENGER SITTING BESIDES AN EMPTY SEAT.

I'm anxiously waiting for my flight back to home. 

It's a long journey and I don't particularly enjoy sitting in a closed aluminum tubes with three-hundred other people for hours.

I'm not claustrophobic or aerophobic; maybe I just share nerves and jitters before a journey with hundreds out there.

A middle-aged man comes to me and asks, "May I?" as he points to the empty seat next to me. He has a warm smile and the mannerisms of a gentleman.

"Of course", I answer back with a smile. He is carrying a huge duffle bag. He tucks it under his seat and ensures it doesn't invade my space.

We just share a smile but no conversation for the rest of the time.

However, something has changed within the last few minutes. I'm more relaxed and take out my copy of Buy-ology and enjoy the revelations on marketing.

Soon my mind begins to wander around etiquette and curtsy. As human beings a major portion of our life is spent with other human beings. Whether our family, friends, co-workers or just strangers waiting in a public place.

We not only bring our abstract emotions like fear, anxiety, prejudices but also the not-so-abstract gadgetry we carry around with us. Whether it is the music on our iPods or huge bag we carry on our backs.

As a social animal we should realize that we're sharing the space with another human being. The dictionary defines sharing as using or enjoying something jointly with others. The etiquette and curtsy are just gestures to other human being implying "I respect you".

So next time you're in a public space just remember it's your duty as a fellow human being to share the space with others unselfishly. And we just need these "little gestures" to make lives of others (including us) a harmonic symphony.

FADE OUT

THE END
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