Why online check-ins ruined my love life

Why online check-ins ruined my love life...

I was recently on a really long flight back home. Travelling back to Bangalore, India from San Jose, Costa Rica. There were 3 flights in total; San Jose to Miami- 3 hours, Miami to Doha (longest leg of the travel) – 15 hours and Doha to Bangalore -4 hours.  And like any other normal person I wished I get to sit next to someone interesting. Maybe chat a little bit, flirt or just gawk even. (If you do not wish this secretly while travelling alone on a flight, you are too normal. Please stop reading this blog because it is meant only for people with a certain level of abnormalities).

Before my travel, I met this old friend of mine who announced his engagement and was extremely excited. As an (acting) good friend, I felt obliged to act as excited as he was and congratulate him. But it didn’t seem good enough. So I continued my (fake) excitement and asked him how they met. It felt like he was ready with not only the answer to my question but also a much practiced one. It had a story, a plot with jokes, drama, fear- the whole deal. Phew!

In a jist, he said they met on a flight while he was travelling from Bangalore to Chennai and they hit it off immediately. I stood there is shock and awe because “that” flight is 50 mins long… or short… or long.. Whatever! Moving on.... How on earth did he even start a conversation, leave alone find love on that flight?

I went back home feeling happy for my friend and feeling jealous about the fact that I have never met/ found/ seen/or even sensed anyone remotely interesting sitting beside me on a flight. It was time to do what Amazonians do best “Deep Dive” (I’m not kidding about this, it’s on a public website)

And what other great time to do that deep dive, than being on a ridiculously long flight yourself. So it began. 3 flights from Bangalore to San Jose and not one... I repeat... not ONE single interesting person sitting beside me. I was visibly upset. If it could happen to my friend, why not me? WHY GOD, WHY?

Then it was time to come back from San Jose and it was on my last leg of travel that it struck me, that it’s the bloody online check-ins that are to blame. Let me tell you how. So, I am obviously a certain level of internet savvy and I know that checking in online will not only help me land a window seat but also considerably decrease my standing in queue time at the airport. It’s an intelligent thing to do. Period.

What struck me later, is that if I ever have to find someone who I will be able to have a decent conversation with, will need to be at the same or higher level of internet savvy-ness and will do exactly what I do. Check-in online. So, if I find a guy sitting on the center seat (no matter how good looking he is) I’m immediately going to judge his savvy-ness.

And there I had it, the conclusion to the question I asked myself. That why I have never met/ found/ seen/or even sensed anyone remotely interesting sitting beside me on a flight.

Thank you online check-in, you ruined my love life! 

"OMG!! What do I do now?"

If this were 2010, I would have reacted to that very differently.

So what has changed now?  

I don’t believe that I have changed as a person, but I do know (for a fact) that there are a few people who have made an immense impression on me and the way I would think / react to situations.

A few years back when I had problems, I'd approach a lady to find solutions. To my surprise, post that conversation I'd come out smiling about the fact that I already had the solutions ready in my head. The ease with she could do this was amazing.

Each and every conversation (I mean it when I say each). Even if it was for 30 seconds, I learnt something from her.

One person whose facilitation skills are un-parallel to anyone I know.The one lady who made an impression to last a lifetime.

Sarita Gadgil: I truly, deeply miss my conversations with you.