The Impartiality of Strangers

*6th April 2019*

" I hate my wife, I totally do.

Can you imagine that idiot told my mother that am not good in bed and I snore at night?"

I almost choked on my beer when I heard that.

I took a long look at him and said " what did you just say?"

This guy took another sip and went quiet for some seconds then stuttered almost inaudibly and close to tears " I hate her."

Now at this point am dying to laugh but I maintain "my am in an interview face", trust me, you don't want to see that one.

I realise I have to say something back to console him but almost involuntarily I blurt out " I get you, I hate my girlfriend too, am on my forty seventh day of the ninety day rule, you have any idea how much that sucks?"

The bartender jumps in " Well, my husband is cheating on me and i can't leave him because this job pays peanuts and am surviving on tips, I need him for the money"

Well, as the conversation goes on it starts to feel like we've known each other for decades, in fact the guy who hates his wife buys me another beer.

Ever been in a park bench or bus seat or train or plane and someone from God knows where tells you something and you can't help but wonder why they did.

Truth is, we have more candid conversations with strangers than we do with loved ones.

Why is it so?

Is it the freedom from being judged?

Is it that we desperately need someone to talk to that we confide our best kept secret to strangers?

Is it their Impartiality that makes us trust that they will give us an unbiased advice?

Is it because people who know us listen to us so they can respond and not so they can understand?

 *" Imagine last night I didn't eat* "

 _"You are talking about food?...mimi ata sijui rent nitatoa wapi_ 

*" *Imagine Jana asub..* ."

 _" Wasema Jana? Basi mimi juzi saa tano ivi..._ 

" *Achana na mambo ya this week, mimi juzi hapa tu last month* "

Now you end up more frustrated than before the conversation.

What we miss is, therapy is paying a stranger money so you can blabber for an hour about your issues and hopefully get advice.

Next time, just buy a beer for a stranger.

Am all ears.