A plumber visited my house yesterday because people on the lower floor complained about some leakage. He was checking if I had used the shower earlier in the day when the "burst of water" was noticed. I said no, I hadn't showered yet so it couldn't be my flat. He tinkered around for a bit and then suggests, maybe someone else showered? I had to put him right again. No, I live on my own, nobody used the shower in this house today. Then he says, half-jokingly, no secret lover then? I was gobsmacked and mortified and embarrassed all in one. I mean, no one who knows me would make such a comment and then to have an absolute stranger saying something so forward... I was at a loss. A few moments later, he asks me where I am from. I say India. He saw in the news that India has surpassed China with most number of people. I had no idea. I said it might be because of China’s long running one-child policy. If x moves at a rate of 1 and y at rate of 3-4, y is bound to catch up, no? He wasn't expecting a logical response I suppose. But I don't do small talk. Everything feeds into my logical and analytical brain as a problem to be resolved or broken apart... hehe...

I am not sure why this exchange tickled me. When I interact with everyday type of folks, I find it a bit refreshing. It offers a window into ordinary ways of being, speaking, relating, so on which I feel more and more distant from in academia. In ordinary interaction, people don't regulate their thoughts as much or worry about decorum or saying the right thing. It's interesting in its own way.