Image supplied.
Late last year I went to a wedding where I didn’t know anyone. I mean, I knew the bride and groom — I’m not a psycho who lurks around reception venues throwing back sparkling wine and hoarding strangers’ bonbonierres. But the rest of the guests who I was seated with were complete strangers.
In my experience, these kind of situations usually follow a predictable pattern: everyone makes polite small talk. We all compliment the food and comment on how beautiful the bride is. It’s pleasant and socially appropriate. It’s slightly dull.
But not that night. Instead of the polite, “So, how do you know the bride and groom?” my table of strangers declared the conversation would open a little differently. The rule was, you had to state your name, and the most interesting thing about you.
When it came to the man seated opposite me, he took a breath, and with a smile – and I daresay a twinkle in his eye- said:
‘I realised last year I’ve been massively depressed, I have been battling anxiety my whole life and didn’t know it. Last year I wanted to end my life, but I’m on meds now so things are way better.’
WOAH.
AHEM.
*takes sip of sparkling*
I felt like I’d been slapped in the face. On the outside, I smiled. I think. But on the inside I was thinking, ‘Holy shitballs — that is the most honest thing I have heard anyone say. EVER.’