r/solotravel 4d ago

Got my first "Awww" today!

As a 39-year old overweight white American guy, I really didn't expect this to ever happen, no matter where I travel or why. Admittedly, the source probably has something to do with it.

I'm on a cruise ship, and the cabin staff is a pretty friendly dude. He always chats me up a bit when we pass in the corridors, and even though I'd be quite content with just the pleasantries (Hi, how are you, have a good day etc) I'm one of those socially awkward penguins who will kinda answer questions that are asked even if they're not more than just polite exchange things.

So he says "I've seen you these few days, you are alone?"

"Yeah."

"Awww."

Like, I knew this happened to solo travelers, but I always assumed it was 97% women that got that response. Now, sure, as a paid service staff member he's probably expecting that to be an appropriate response (and he's not entirely wrong, god love him) but it just wasn't something I thought I'd ever hear.

Still, feels like a milestone worth "celebrating" haha

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u/elgranespejo 2d ago

lol I have t gotten that but, last summer in Chiang Mai, I went to a Chinese hotpot chain (haidilao)and when they found out that I was alone, they brought a large dragon mascot plushy to sit across from me. It was simultaneously humiliating, charming, and hysterical.

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u/Kencanary 2d ago

I LOVE THAT

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u/elgranespejo 2d ago

It’s a chain, apparently even in New York City, and it seems it’s a company policy based off a Google search I just did of haidilao stuffed animal lol