Smith: I’m lost.
Jones: Where ya going?
Smith: I don’t remember.
Jones: Where ya from?
Smith: You sure do ask a lot of personal questions.
Jones: Hey man, I’m just trying to help. You ask me. I don’t have to tell you anything.
Ding. Ding. (Ten seconds or so pass)
Smith: Where you going?
Jones: I don’t think that’s any of your business.
Smith: Maybe where you’re going is where I’m going. If you told me where you were going maybe it would help me with my problem.
Jones: Your problem is not my problem.
Smith: How do you know? How do you know that helping me find my way won’t in some way benefit you?
Jones: What would benefit me is if you would figure things out on your own. Quietly. Without my help. I am not responsible with helping you find your way.
Ding. Ding. (Ten seconds or so pass)
Jones: Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s been a long day. How can I help? I want to help.
Smith: Aw, no problem. You’re right. It’s my own deal to figure out where I’m headed. I can’t expect no stranger to point the way.
Jones: Well, if you were to just give me a little more information maybe I could help. Maybe if you talked about where you’re coming from it would help you figure out where it is you’re trying to go.
Smith: Oh. So by telling you where I’ve been maybe I’ll figure out on my own where I’m going.
Jones: Maybe.
Ding. Ding. (Ten seconds or so pass)
Smith: I’m embarrassed. I don’t like where I’ve been.
Jones: Then you’re going the right way.
Smith: Hmnn. I see what you mean. Thanks. ’preciate the help.
Jones: No problem.
This article appears in January 28, 2009.