2008/11/08 Antwerp
Arrogance
One of the few
Last night, after being interviewed by Ruth Joos I said goodbye to a journalist with whom I’ll have dinner on Sunday.
My companion said: “Didn’t you notice to whom he was talking?”
“No,” I answered.
“He was talking to X,” she said. X being a Flemish author. “Do you hold a grudge against X?”
“No.”
“So why did you ignore him? It was rude. Perhaps you were just being clumsy but it could be perceived as arrogance.”
Later I remembered that my companion once had declared that she found X an extremely handsome man and that he was one of the few men she really admired.
(I made a mistake. X is more Dutch than Flemish.)
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20 comments 
Then it can't have been Brusselmans.
Peter Verhelst?
boekenbeurs
Hey Arnonleuk je te zien op de boekenbeurs, you made my day!
empathy
Being straight is sometimes the best remedy.I wonder, what had happend, if she said “i like x”? Why didn’t she dare to say this?
very important
Tom Lanoye?@Mark, as you brought up the word 'empathy' I have a recommendation for you - Martha Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness.
You heard it right but she doesn't mean it. She meant what she said at that moment. It was an exiting moment and that made her very sensitive. To clarify the situation like you did (arroganceone of the few) wil put your companion with both legs on the ground (dutch saying) again. Your companion can shoot me now (dutch saying) whether I'm right or wrong. (but only for a moment. Or at least for only a period)
But you did not recognize X? So, your companion cannot blame you for ignoring him?
Vilde
Where have you gone? I miss you.Bernard
I didn't recognize him.As it turned out it was not a Belgian writer, Arnon didn't recognize, but a Dutch one: Ramsey Nasr.
Arnon
Don't you owe me a gift?Looks more like Dimitri Verhulst
Vilde
Why exactly do I owe you a gift?Arnon
For my research assistance, of course. If you like, I could offer you some computer instruction. But that would require a larger gift.Vilde
Do you have an assistant? Female or male? I would love to meet your assistant.Could we make arrangements for a meeting?
writer x
I bet it is Mr. Kluun.ARNON
Maybe you can tell us who this mister X was?
Maybe you can tell us who this mister X was?
Pefko
Is my credibility this low?Mieke
Not at all, but if you look at the face at the picture i wouldn't think it is Ramsey Nasr, would you?[ Add comment ]
