This morning on the train a couple sat next to me with their toddler. When the father and the child got off, the doors closed and the mother stood up and looked out of the window and waved. I’m always interested in how people say goodbye to each other on the subway. Sometimes, you’ll see a couple kiss and even before one has left the train, they have both stopped looking at each other.
I always look.
When I was growing up, we had a dog who would chase our car whenever we left home. More than a few times, I’ve gotten off the train and said goodbye to my wife, and then run down the platform as a goof to crack her up. That’s my job, make the wife smile, keep her laughing. Or maybe it’s just the K-9 in me.
[Photo Credit: iphonegraphic from the flickr Subway Portraits gallery]
I recently read about a study somewhere that said people tend to wave goodbye, and hold their gaze on their departing loved one or friend for an average of three seconds before looking away.
Since reading this, I've noticed it to be true. Try to time it sometime, it's fascinating.
That said, the great U2 tune suggests it takes a second to say goodbye.
here it is. Goodbye hugs are 3 seconds too.
http://tinyurl.com/4lxpukc
Love a good hugger.
0] If we lived in NYC, I'd run down the platform all the time to crack my wife up. This all reminds me of A Hard Day's Night with John making his faces.
1] Man, that really is a great song. The fact that The Edge sings it should be a trivia question somewhere.