Moments Supplementary Reader Chapter 9 The Accidental Tourist

Tb prove this, Bill Bryson gives various examples, e.g. to search for lavatory in a cinema and get locked in a self locking door and to ask for his room number in the hotel two three times in a day.

The author wanted to use his flyer card to avail privilege on his England trip. He tried to open his bag. But the zip of the bag was jammed. On being pulled forcibly, it gave way. Everything within came out and fell on the ground. It also wounded his finger. It panicked the author and he started shouting.

The author was travelling by air. He leaned over to tie his shoelace. Right then the traveller in the seat ahead of him threw his seat back in full recline. Thus the author got pinned helplessly under the seat. He could manage to free himself only by holding the leg of his co-passenger tightly and pulling himself out.

The author has a history of spilling drinks over the other passengers on flights. Once, he spilled the drink onto the woman sitting next to him. The flight attendant cleaned her up and brought him another drink. Somehow he spilt it again on the same woman. It makes him decide not to drink anything on flights.

The author tries hard to get up decently from the dinner table, to close the door without stucking his coat in it, not to stain his light-coloured trousers, etc. His accidental and uncontrolled movements on the dinner table, his carelessly closing the door just after him and sitting on chewing gums, ice cream, cough syrup and motor oil spoil his attempts to look suave.

While travelling alone, the author neither eats nor drinks. He does not lean over to tie his shoelace nor takes the pen near his mouth. He does not let his hands free. He sits on his hands. He does all this to avoid the accidents resulting out of his movements and actions.

The author is careless about updating his frequent flyer card. Usually, he fails to find his card in time. On other occasions he forgets to ask for the air miles while checking in or somehow the air miles are not recorded or he is found not entitled to these.

The author does not get any free air miles for his flight to Australia because there is difference in his name on the ticket and on the card. While the ticket is in the name of Bill Bryson, the card states William Bryson. The author feels satisfied with it because he can’t go that long without eating.

The author has a tendency to invite or involve in catastrophes while on tours or flights. While sometimes he does it unknowingly, on other occasions the accidents occur themselves causing him great embarrassment and panic. Once he got stuck under a seat in the aeroplane while on another occasion, he knocked two drinks, one after the other, on the same woman.

The author always has catastrophes when he travels. He finds it difficult to do the simplest things when he is travelling. He fails to keep his things in control or updated. He spills drinks on others and flies lids or meat pieces while having dinner. He can’t even manage his pen. All together, he undergoes or causes many accidents on his tours. That’s why he calls himself an accidental tourist. Hence, the title is perfectly apt.

Importance of Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is very important to achieve success in life. It will help us to have a control over our own destiny. It gives us a positive frame of mind. It helps us to make the best use of our talents and skills in achieving our goals. If we do not possess self-confidence, we will never be able to take right decisions and will always remain confused. Lack of self-confidence can lead to fear and lack of courage in performing any task correctly. The fear of failure will always haunt us. Good parenting and quality-education can help us develop self-confidence right from our childhood.