ide-By-Side

ome time ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

During one of their regular meetings, Professor Hamblin, Lady Angela of Alpine Castle, and the Baron discussed many things and at the current meeting Lady Angela asked the Professor, “What can you tell about relationships between couples by the way they walk down the street?”

The Professor said, “Well, one couple might have the man walking slightly in front and another couple might have the woman in front. Another couple might walk side-by-side.

“When two women walk down the street, it is usually side-by-side because it is a social outing. Lovers always walk side-by-side, holding hands along the way.

“The anxious woman shopper will usually lead the man along. The impatient man may lead the woman.

“But there really isn’t too much you can assume in a relationship by the way they walk unless they are exchanging heated words. One may be angry and want to walk away from the other person who is in hot pursuit. But, if they are truly in love, the pace of the walking will be closer to a stroll.

“You can probably tell more if they look at each other in a romantic way.

“Some people prefer to walk or talk, but not both at the same time. It has happened that a person was so wrapped up in the conversation that he accidentally walked into a lamppost.

“Body language is an indicator of how well the couple is doing in their relationship. If their actions are smooth, it may mean contentment. If they are jerky, then they could be annoyed.

“Some people always appear to be in a rush for no apparent reason. It is probably due to a false sense of anxiety. Where you have a low-key person coupled with a high-energy, hurry-up type of person, something has to give.

“Side-by-side couples have a lot to consider. Take dining: one eats too fast and the other too slow. To ask or expect the one to change for the other person may work for a short time, but in the long run habits run deeply. They may choose to eat alone or in another room.

“When relationships work, it is wonderful. But there are many factors involved in judging relationships through outside observations.”