As I was on the train, heading home from a tiresome day at school, I overheard a small exchange between two people. This short conversation would have been inconsequential to others nearby but it inspired me.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?", asked a tall, slim middle-aged man wearing a blue sweatshirt that seemed a size too big.
"Yes, it's taken," replies the young woman wearing a similarly over-sized sweatshirt, but in black.
To others on the train, this conservation would have been a normal occurrence; a person simply looking for a seat. However, it was not the question that intrigued me, it was the answer. The man got off the train after a few stops and soon after, the woman got off as well. During the train ride to destinations, no one sat down next to the woman; the seat was left vacant the whole time until she arrived at her destination. I started reflecting on the conversation and behavior I had just witnessed on a grander scale.
The conversation reminded me of how protected everyone is. We are afraid to let people in; in fear that they will only do harm to us and cause us pain. The woman was not only afraid to let the man sit next to her, but to have someone so close to her. We stay enclosed, not allowing others to see our vulnerability.
This dialogue taught me that the best kinds of kind of dialogues can be simple. They can be short, simple and direct. The dialogue must in the way provide readers with information not otherwise stated. However, a dialogue should also have an underlying message and readers should be given the ability to reflect upon the dialogue and interpret it their way. A good dialogue, as good description, should give readers part of the story but leave readers filling in the rest themselves.
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