Reading this, I had to smile to offset the tickle in my belly. I get that this is written to discourage the practice, but the multiple instances I’ve overstayed my time at an establishment has been suffused with lovely – just lovely – memories.
The fact is, reasonable adults don’t linger without a reason. And look, in no way am I trying to underestimate the precious time of the waitstaff or kitchen team. They deserve to enjoy their time, too. That’s why I prefer them to leave us – for it’s always “us” – tables cleared, chairs upturned, cash counted, lights out. Banish us to the outdoor area. All we need to see is each other.
Also to note, “get a room” is not an unjust suggestion. If you are, in fact, a reasonable adult, you will conduct your proper canoodling in private. But that’s just the more reason to take in those overstayers. People go in expecting a meal and a chat, and when faced with something more, what’s left to do? They didn’t plan on entering something they didn’t want to exit. And that connection depends entirely on the fragility of the moment, hovering over closing time, fluttering like an infant butterfly.
What can be more delicious than watching chemistry grow? A man and a woman once sat next to my park bench, and began conversing about American politics, loud enough for me to overhear. It soon became very clear that these two aspire to be romantically involved, if not already are. I don’t think I’ve ever heard public policy and national education discussed in such soft warmness and vulnerability. There are the words that came out of their mouths, and there are words that poured out of their manners: you’re awesome and I want to get to know you.
Intimacy can mean many things — pleasure, shame, transcendence, sin. We instinctively hide it, because it feels personal, too sensitive to get out there. Not typically one to defend subject avoidance, I actually find it endearing that we get uncomfortable being in or around stimulated connections. And sure, public displays of affection can quickly go from sweet to cloying to repulsive before you’ve had a chance to look away, and that is why I really like the inception stage. It’s pure, because it’s not sure what it wants to be quite yet, or even if it would materialize. What is this I’m feeling? Is the other person feeling this, too? Should we keep going? Something’s happening, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. OK I need to think – everything else need to stand still for a moment. Wait, not the bill! We haven’t figured out what this is yet!
Tika Anindya 