Not One in Every Crowd

Working in tourism, you get to meet all kinds. Last voyage on the Yangtze, we had a 94 year old guest from the United States who was the most ornery, crankiest critter I had ever seen. He did not walk well and relied on his cane to support some of his frail frame, but refused help from anyone getting on or off the ship or up and down the stairs. Several times he struck our staff on the legs with his cane if they got too close to him or if he felt they were blocking his way. All we could do was stand by and hope he did not collapse right in front of us or assault any other unsuspecting passers-by. He was rather proud of the fact that he had lived with prostate cancer for 28 years and it had not got him yet, but refused to eat anything except bananas and bread for his meals. He was convinced all our other food was polluted and that he was "bound to keel over and kick the bucket" if he ate anything else.  
On the first day he told me he had discovered how to prevent malaria and cholera but could not figure out why no one listened to him. The others in his group did not want to sit with him during meals, and everyone pretty much stayed clear of him for the entire four day tour.  
I kind of felt bad for him, but if he was not so stubborn and combattive, I think he could have actually enjoyed his Yangtze cruise.

last modified May 15, 2006 at 20:34

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