Whistlers

A few years ago I used to enjoy the chance meeting - actually a passing by: he was on a bike - of a man who whistled as he rode along the city streets.  Then I encountered a woman whistling at the Polish Deli so I  stopped her  and we had a lovely chat about why she whistled and when she had started and who had taught her to the extent that I turned it into an interview, tracked down the man on the bike who whistled, and it became an article in the local newspaper. 

Tracking down that man was an adventure - the only lead I had was that he lived somewhere near a large grocery store so I started there and customer service asked around the employees and one thought he lived a few streets away so I wandered that neighbourhood asking anyone in sight and eventually a woman walking her dog directed me to a house and I found him.  This was not in one single attempt but several and it was satisfying to finally locate him and have him agree to be interviewed.

Two different whistlers in two different locations in the past week brought those previous ones to mind.  Both these were men and both were whistling so merrily away.  Neither would catch my eye and accept my appreciative smile which seems to be the 'alone in a crowd' aspect of whistling that came up in those interviews previously; it's as if whistling is socially unacceptable and those doing it are fearful to acknowledge what they are doing.

I don't intend to do another article.  What interests me this time is the choice of song being whistled and made me wonder what I would whistle in public.  I also wonder if I can carry a tune when I whistle; when I sing I cannot; in fact one of my sons claims that I am the only person he knows who can sing consistently out of tune;  I actually think that must be some sort of accomplishment. 

Anyway, these gents were whistling  Winchester Cathedral and Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.  I would whistle  Summertime.  What would you?  Would you?  Maybe we should declare a Whistling Day and see what happens.  Hmmmm. 

Comments

[Kruse]

I regularly whistle extracts from Howard Shore's 'Lord of the Rings' soundtrack, particularly the bit were they canoe to Amon Hen. This three disk soundtrack is my most played bit of music, I always have it on my mp3 player for when I am walking in the city. (Silence and birdsong in the countryside). I don't think I'd whistle in public if there were other folk around though, there is enough music noise here in England from the army of teenagers playing their mobile phones - loudly and repetitively. Grrr!

[Karen]

"Army of teenagers" - a graphic image to the accompaniment of "music noise". And a nice balance with the "canoe to Amon Hen" and "silence and birdsong".
You give such thoughtful (and thought-provoking) comments. Thank you.

[kruse]

You're welcome! :)