Several years back a work colleague displayed what, at the time, I considered to be a slightly odd quirk. I didn’t think too much of it but it had made me think the person was overly cautious. Having grown up in New York I understood on a DNA level being cautious for I had seen many questionable behaviors. And, as a result I always scan a block ahead when walking to determine if there are any upcoming dangerous situations. It’s a quite useful New York tactic in that it can readily keep you out of trouble. Many New Yorkers are natural born scanners. Even with such a skillset in my background, I am not that cautious in a hotel-a place filled with strangers. Go figure.

This weekend I was on business travel and it was easy for everyone on the team to see which room was mine. I didn’t think twice, or at all about it. Everyone could see me go into my room. And, at one point I audibly chuckled to myself when I thought of both my work colleague and my new apartment building.

Let me explain.

On a business trip years back, I came to learn that my business colleague would readily walk past her hotel door. She often didn’t go straight to her room. I came to find this out when we arrived to our hotel floor together and she pretended her room wasn’t her room. There had been others behind us and she wanted to make sure they wouldn’t know to which room she was going. It was her tactic for being safe. I found it quirky and then didn’t think much of it.

Fast forward to two weeks ago, where upon exiting my apartment building elevator, I immediately (without thinking about it) readily walked past my door. See, my apartment door is right in front of the elevator. There was someone who remained in the elevator and I didn’t want them to see me go straight into that apartment. I felt odd opening my apartment door in front of them. Thus, I walked till the end of the hallway and waited until I heard the elevator doors close. Then I ran back to my door while I laughed at myself. It had taken me a while, but I finally understood my colleague’s quirkiness. Her particular constant concern. It made sense. Now, if only I were a CIA officer.