You are sitting on a beach in Aruba.
Chatting quietly.
The beaches are public so you have full rights of access.
You have just bought lunch at the Hyatt.
Security from the hotel comes and asks you to move a few yards to the left.
You ask why.
He asks you again.
You ask why.
He asks you again.
You ask why again and he says there has been a complaint.
You say who, what, why etc?
The man 2 yards behind security owns up. It appears we are in his view.
Now he is paying say 1000 dollars a night.
We are paying nothing.
We are not shouting, fornicating or playing music.
What do you do?
Fight? Flight?
What do you do?
You can't be moved.
He can't move you.
You get a growing feeling someone needs to be taught a lesson but at this stage you are not sure who.
What to do?
The security chap seems like a pleasant fellow in a tight spot.
Stalemate.
Nobody's moving and you are beginning to enjoy the scenario as a mild amusement. You can see this playing out in a million ways over the next 20 minutes.
Five minutes well spent now could make the hotel guest's blood pressure visible from a mile away.
He has tattoos too. He is not helping his cause of reason.
Security then asks.... How do you think we should resolve this?
Genius!
What a great question?
And bit of a stumper.
You might think, resolve what? But it is the perfect question reasonably put.
A masterclass in how to handle a situation!
Think. Well, I could move. Then everyone wins.
Everyone but me.
I would have moved for an idiot. What will he learn then?
What to do?
Fight. Flight?
Think.
How can everyone save face without the need for verbal or physical violence.
Hmmm...Think.
Take a moment.
Recap.
Nice security man just doing his job.
Idiot hotel guest.
Me minding my own business.
Friend to take care of.
What to do?
Think.
Fight.
Flight.
Fight.
Flight.
Decision.
I'll move the 2 yards.
(Then to the security guard). "For you". (Then pointing to the idiot). "Not for him".
Everybody wins.
Security is ecstatic, collecting beach towels for us etc.
I learn a poetic new strategy.
Security saves face and makes the show of support for their guest.
Everybody wins.
Except the guy who complained.
He goes to find his cigarettes.
