Here’s an interesting dilemma for you. Put yourself in my shoes and decide how you’d play it...

I arrived at the airport in plenty of time. Heathrow T5. Nice! Went through the check-in procedure, then the security checks.  Forced down my 2-litre Evian rather than chuck it away. Nearly drowned! Took off my shoes, removed my belt, watch and loose change but still got beeped. Enjoyed the frisk. Wandered through the shops. Sprayed myself with something expensive. Visited the loo as a matter of urgency. Went to WHSmith to choose something to scoff. Wondered why a bag of wine gums costs £3.50 so opted for a small packed of McVities digestives. Loo again. Then found a seat and sat down with my laptop on my knee and did some work to kill an hour. So far so good.

Then a strange thing happened...

A bloke came and sat down next to me. A business-type. You know, smart suit, Blackberry, etc. A bit older than me. Probably going to Brussels or Frankfurt to close a huge business deal? We nodded politely at each other and he set about his Blackberry, expertly double thumbing.

The plan was to keep the digestives for on the plane but I was feeling peckish and there they were, sitting tantalisingly in front of me, so I opened the packet and took one. Munch, munch, yum, yum. Crumbs on the laptop. I reached for another. More crunching. And then, get this, the complete stranger next to me reached for the packet and took one!

No way! I kept my head still but eyes hard left. He was eating it. I hadn’t offered. He’d just kind of helped himself. I ask you, dear reader, what should one do?

I reached for another biscuit. And so did he! I glanced at him and our eyes met. He smiled. I smiled back, but it was an awkward moment. Here we were, strangers in an airport lounge, sharing a packet of digestives.

Eventually, my flight was called so I packed up my laptop and shaped to go. How do I end this liaison with the biscuit-eating stranger? We’d shared a dozen yummy biscuits but not a single word! I nodded at the stranger and smiled. ‘Enjoy your flight.’ He grinned back and I hurried to gate 46. I couldn’t help thinking he’d been a bit cheeky but, at the same time, I admired his boldness.

 Picture1

I eventually boarded my flight and found my way to seat 46B. I flustered around for a few seconds while I pulled my iPOD, headphones and book from my briefcase. And behold, my unopened packet of Digestives fell out!

Bearing in mind I’d brazenly opened his digestives and scoffed at least half the packet... I think the stranger took it very well.