Cynic

I still basically trust people, but my last trip down here has made me automatically suspicious of young men who stand too close, speak too softly, and are too friendly - particularly if they start by asking where I'm from.

The gate queue at Abu Dhabi airport is not exactly a high-risk location, but I'm spending more of my time working out how this can possibly be a scam than holding up my end of the conversation. The poor Saudi at the wrong end of my prejudices is surprised to hear that I'm Australian, and asks if we speak English there, "like Americans".

I'm still on guard, because he says he's going to Manila but this is a flight to Bangkok. It's only afterwards that Lyn points out that he'll probably have to change planes.

It's a little early in the trip to be so cynical.