Floored.

PJ’s doing her PhD in some kind of study of linguistic, and communication. She’s fascinated with the ability of human beings to communicate with each other – even if they don’t speak the same language. When I was in the burgh a couple of weeks ago – I stopped by her new apartment, and then headed to gets some ice-cream. On two occasions in the hour that we hung out, PJ spoke to me in Japanese (she’s fluent; I’m clueless) and I intuitively responded – not necessarily understanding what she said, but somehow knew how to respond. At some point, we both realized what had happened and it was quite a profound moment! Our “conversation” has given her some food for thought in terms of a thesis. Of course she’s going to have to get around the fact that we both know each other so well, its quite possible that I read her mind.

Regardless, I think her theory that human beings intuitively communicate with each other on some level holds water. I was at Politics and Prose this evening, with a large latte and some delicious cookies. I was sitting on the couch, across from a girl who seemed to be studying for the GRE (big GRE book gave it away). As she was leaving, she put on a “Save Darfur” sweatshirt, which immediately caught my eye – and I couldn’t help but glance at it. She immediately noticed, and said – “I saw your wrist band.” I was like, oh! Yeah – and started to talk to her about where she got the sweatshirt (I’m buying one btw), etc. Before she left, I said – hey, good luck on the GRE; she responded with, thanks – good luck with law school. I was floored – do I have “LAW STUDENT” typed on my forehead?!?!?! I’m working on a paper, which is to some degree about citizenship – a subject that is probably more fitting on the social policy shelf, and am surrounded by books on that subject. Not one “law” book in sight. How in the world did she know I am a law student? Does body language relate that much? Perhaps it was the glasses? Or maybe my lawyerly air (aka confused look on face)?

Floored.