as we waited at the gate for our plane, i was amazed by the new ‘system’ in place. i couldn’t quite get a handle on it at first, didn’t know exactly where to sit, where to line up, when, etc.
this is how the gate agent explained it to me. ‘we’ll call you by your letter and you stand in a single file line by the pole that has your number on it that goes with your letter that we’ll call and then we’ll call you by letter and number together and and we’ll know you by that. there are approximately 100 small strips of spaces with seats with numbers.’ being the black sheep that i am, i waited until the last possible second to get into line in my assigned number/letter place, and was met with gate agent glares. i think some of the other sheep may have been upset with me too.
People, like sheep, tend to follow a leader – occasionally in the right direction.
In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself.
The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same.
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
that sounds too confusing… stay a black sheep.
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i agree and no problem, i know of no other way to be
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My mom always said “don’t be a sheep”. Her standard response when I wanted to do something everyone else was doing. Such a smart woman.
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@breeda – she was a sage )
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Don’t be a sheep……now, that is excellent advice. 🙂
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if you are going to be a sheep, be a black one
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@tom, indeed.
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This rebelliousness strain runs in the family
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scott: yes, it certainly does.
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Reblogged this on Spiritual challenges .
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@maxima, thanks so much and glad you enjoyed it )
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LOL! This is funny:-)
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@finger – thanks and i never fail to be amazed by just how funny life is )
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Would it be sort of ironic if I went along and agreed with everyone else about not being a sheep? Ack!
So you are on your way home now? It sound like your trip was sooooo wonderful yahhh! *smiles*
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@katie – that is really funny ) yes, home and happy, it was a good trip and i always love coming home too –
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Ohh….then …
WELCOME HOME BETH !!!!!
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Sheep you say – most of us fly cattle class 🙂
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@eric – so this is a step up then ?)
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So weird, just watched a ‘Mythbusters’ episode about this last night. They tried out a pile of different methods for getting people onto planes quickly and often the more complicated preparation led to the fastest times but passenger satisfaction was really low for some of them. They didn’t interview passengers, just asked them to vote on way out of plane, but I’m betting it’s because they felt ‘herded’. The ‘Mythbusters’ episode was the last one from season 8 (if you’re interested).
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wow, that’s really funny. not surprised by their findings. at all. wish they would have done actual interviews, including me ) i love that show and i will check out that episode, thanks for the tip ) beth
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Watched it on netflix 🙂
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I agree with the comment: If you are going to be a sheep…be a black one! 🙂
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I haven’t done that numbers thing while flying for awhile. its annoying. The Amsterdam airport used to have sliding glass doors which Jack and I never encountered. No numbers, the sliding glass door just opened when it was time to board. The herd left us behind, we had no idea the door opening meant go! Dumb sheep!
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@kris – omg that is so funny, if it were me i probably would have charged ahead and slammed face first into the glass door, not knowing it wasn’t yet opened )
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Hey! Your blog inspired me to blog about the Amsterdam airport fun and try out a cartoon.
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yes! that’s great and what we’re here for, to share ideas, writing, concepts, inspirations. i can’t wait to read it!
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Baaa! Baaa! I’d rather be the black sheep, too. 😀
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@bels – thanks for your vote of unity )
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I have no idea what that guard was saying. Maybe if i repeat it over a few times? Nevertheless, there are difficulties associated with being a black sheep, notably the fact that they are usually the first ones to get eaten (being noticeable and all)…
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@sister – i agree, it is a bureaucratic tongue-twister and i will take my chances as the black sheep anyway )
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Pingback: Dumb Sheep | doesthishappentoyou
Good for you! Their system is so confusing it needs its own system. Thanks for liking my blog!
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so true! yw )
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Hmmm Nice. My favourite quote on sheep is a leadership quote I heard somewhere, If you put fences around people, you get sheep.
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oh, i love that quote!
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It sounds very organised, like a school trip. It is a bit different from the Ryanair approach which is similar to a rugby scrum.
Pecora Nera = Black Sheep (in italian) so hello from one black sheep to another 🙂
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@pete – well i suppose the organization is what they are seeking, however, due to my nature, i just bristle at even the idea of it all. i so much prefer the rugby scrum approach to most things in life. soon to head off to australia, we’ll see what travel adventures await. i hope you are enjoying italy, i am half italian after all, and i long for a visit in the future – as for my other half, irish, so that should be a different trip altogether –
ah – a fellow black sheep, how lovely )
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Boarding a plane is a very cultural thing isn’t it. I was flying back from Bratislavia and my flight (full of Italians) was like a rugby scrum between Wales and the All Blacks. The queue for the other plan was going to Norway and they stood in a neat line, without being told…
You need good elbows to board a ryaniar flight with other Italians.
Black Sheep are the best 🙂
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@pete – wouldn’t that be the greatest ad, ‘come fly with us, if you’ve got the elbows to handle it’, the italians – or ‘come fly with us if you don’t’ (the norwegians)
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Love it!!! great post!
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Thanknyoubfor much )
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These commenters are great! You have a fine group who come up with encouraging words even as you inspire them to make comics and blog posts about airports. Nice and funny post!
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