Take My Picture, Please

HANOI, VIETNAM—JUNE 24, 2014—Five Vietnamese people asked me today to take my picture with them. I am in the airport lounge waiting to board my flight. My wife and I are watching for a couple of Canadian girls whom we met during our cruise on Halon Bay. They show up and we chat for a bit. Suddenly, a Vietnamese man takes me by the elbow and says something. He gestures to another bank of chairs where other Vietnamese are waiting for their flights. I am confused at first, but after a moment, I realize he wants to take a photo with me—as do three more of his fellow travelers. I oblige and smile nicely. Later, on the plane, a lady in our row took my photo. I would have liked to have seen the photos because I know I am huge next to the Vietnamese. This phenomenon continues to baffle me. I don’t know whether it’s my bald head, white goatee, size, or all of the above.