11. A trivial return

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Words

Is there a term in any language for the little dance people do when they are about to walk into each other and then can't agree on which way to veer off to avoid a collision? Normally this is only a one or two step dance, but with me it can go to three and even four steps. (And I'm not talking about instances like the time at university when one of my professors was messing with me and did this on purpose until I finally returned to earth and "saw" her.)

I'm assuming when this goes to more than two steps it's because I'm meeting someone equally deferential. We are both reacting to where we sense the other person heading by dodging the other way. But, presumably, something similar must happen with two decisive people who just forge ahead, unless they simply run into each other. 

As was the case with my professor, once you get to the third or forth step you really are forced to acknowledge the other person and say something -- if only "Sorry," or "Excuse me." Are the rules different in London or NYC? If this happens in Manhattan is it permissible to curse at the other person after the third step; while in London (I'm assuming both dancers are English) they have to buy each other tea and a scone?

No painting!

But the latest news is that our contractors will return next week to rip out part of a wall in there and make a mess out of the room I've just put back together. (If you can describe a room filled with laundry machines, trash toters, and assorted junk as being "together.") The "accent" post I painted last still smells of paint and is at the most risk of damage as the contractors work around it. I was expecting a pause of several months. 

I'm not complaining -- this is going much better than I expected both in terms of time and cost -- but I wouldn't have objected to another week or two of peace. 

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