<figure id="attachment_386276" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-386276"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="697c0e97"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/3bf15bbcbffa3d47e69143262d3a9748.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-386276" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Illustrations drawn by Kanda-san</span></figcaption></figure>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m currently on a flight heading to Singapore. I’ve mostly traveled to North America and flown with Japan Airlines, so this is my first time in about 20 years on Singapore Airlines. The experience is very refreshing and enjoyable.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First of all, the flight attendants speak to me in English. It’s been a while since I’ve felt language barriers while in-flight, and I’m a bit flustered. It’s quite humbling. Earlier, when they asked, &#8220;Have you finished eating? Can I clear your tray?&#8221; in English, I didn’t immediately understand. I had to think, “Hmm, if they’re asking now, it must be &#8216;Can I clear your tray?&#8217;” before I responded with a hesitant, “Oh, okay.” The beer I ordered hasn’t arrived, and although I requested two types of bread, only one type was given. My lack of confidence in English meant my voice was too soft, and I probably wasn’t understood well. Despite boasting about having traveled abroad over 80 times, reality is quite different. It makes me laugh at myself. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also, the atmosphere among the passengers seems a bit different. The fragrance of perfume in the air is different from what I&#8217;m used to on planes. I’m wondering if scent preferences vary depending on the region where people live. I love how flying allows me to notice and ponder such small details; it makes the experience enjoyable for me.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, there’s one issue. I can’t tell if the man sitting in the seat across the aisle is Panzetta Giro Lamo or not. His features and outline are so similar that I’ve looked at him four times to make sure. If he were to say, &#8220;I’m Giro Lamo,&#8221; I would bet everyone would believe him, even if it turned out to be a lie.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve worked with Giro Lamo many times before and have been well taken care of by him. If this is indeed him, I’d like to greet him properly, but if it’s not, it would be embarrassing.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Actually, I’ve seen someone who looked like Giro Lamo before in Azabu-Juban. At that time, he was parked by the side of the road in a red sports convertible, sitting on the hood with both hands in his pants pockets, exuding a “bad boy” aura, and talking with a few foreigners. I was out walking with my husband and didn’t check if it was really him before moving on.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another time, on the Yamanote Line, I saw someone who looked just like Giro Lamo standing with his back against the door. He was wearing sunglasses, so I couldn’t see his eyes, but he had the same “bad boy” feel with his hands in his pants pockets. At that time, I didn’t know Giro Lamo personally, so I didn’t think to approach him to verify. </span></p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="I was curious and fidgety."></div>
<h2><b>&#8220;Feeling uneasy and restless”</b></h2>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s intriguing how you keep running into people who resemble Mr. Giro Lamo. It’s unlikely that you’d meet him so frequently, so it makes sense that there are others who look very similar, even if they have unique features. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Regarding the partition, it’s understandable that the timing can feel significant. The ability to create a private space is one of the perks of business class, but it can also be a source of stress if you’re concerned about how others might perceive the situation. Waiting for a natural moment to raise or lower the partition, or observing how others handle it, might ease some of the discomfort. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It sounds like you&#8217;re in a tough spot with the partitions and your seatmates. It’s natural to be concerned about how others might perceive your actions, but remember that the partitions are there for privacy and comfort. If you’re worried about appearing impolite by raising the partition too soon, you could try waiting for a natural moment, like during meal service.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As for the look-alike and the partition issues, it’s understandable that these concerns are keeping you on edge. Sometimes, focusing on other aspects of the flight or finding a distraction might help ease the anxiety. Perhaps watching a movie or reading a book could provide a temporary escape from these thoughts.</span></p>
<figure id="attachment_386277" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3004px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-386277"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-386277 size-full" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/695002d97b11ca3cd791054813aeec37-1.jpg" alt="" width="3004" height="3734"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-386277" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">© Kazuki Shimomura</span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The author&#8217;s first book summarizing this series,</span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E7%8E%8B%E9%81%93%E3%81%A3%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%81%86%E9%81%93%E3%80%81%E3%81%A9%E3%81%93%E3%81%AB%E9%80%9A%E3%81%A3%E3%81%A6%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99%E3%81%8B-%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0-%E6%84%9B%E8%8A%B1/dp/4065361834?&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;tag=fridaymag-22&amp;linkId=7b143dc06b0a909efda233f6deb7d36a&amp;language=ja_JP&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> “Which Path Does the Way of the King Pass Through?”</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is currently on sale and receiving great acclaim. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aika Kanda, born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1980, graduated from the Mathematics Department of Gakushuin University. She joined NHK as an announcer in 2003 and left NHK in 2012 to become a freelance announcer. Since then, she has been active mainly in variety shows and is currently a regular main MC on the daytime program &#8220;Poka Poka&#8221; (Fuji TV network).</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the combined issue of FRIDAY, August 23 &amp; 30, 2024. </span></p>
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