An awkward train conversation (a tale of two Julies): Practice makes perfect

This morning’s bizarre train experience

I saw a woman across from me who looked like someone I had a brief conversation with several months back. I figured my Movember mustache may have confused the issue. Do I say nothing and risk being rude? Or do I say something and risk being wrong?

Me: “Julie?”

Julie: Looks up, “Yes?”

Me: Now a bit unsure, “It’s me, Chad, from the train.”

Julie: Still unsure, “Hi. Have you lost weight?”

Me: “Um, I suppose”, now increasingly uncertain, while wondering why people keep asking me that.

Julie: “So where are you working now?”

Me: “[insert company name]. Are you still in accounts?”

Julie: “Yes, with [insert here a company where the Julie I know does not work]”.

Chad: “Oh? Been there long?”

Julie: “Yes, six years.”

Me: Sinking feel confirmed, this is the wrong Julie. I graciously try to back out with “Oh, you must be a different Julie. I’m Chad” and awkwardly extend my hand after stating what was already confirmed.

Julie: Extends hand out of social convention. “Um, yes, I’m Julie”.

We now have 45 glorious minutes of uncomfortable silence as we stare at our phones.

Learning life through reflection and awkwardness through practice

My lessons:

1. Remembering faces is not my strength.
2. There are two blond Julies that ride my train that work in accounts that know of my existence. One of those Julies thinks I’m weird.

There are two approaches to awkward situations: avoid them at all costs; or seek them out to get really good at them through practice. It’s a safe bet I will continue to pursue the latter.

My experience could have been much worse if Julie had left me hanging with arm outstretched. Don’t leave me hanging, please feel free to share your own awkward journey experience.

And if your name is Julie, say “hi”.