Like a sponge

Wise Words: sponge

Last week, Munich airport was locked down for a couple of hours while security staff went on a possible terrorist hunt. It turned out the would-be terrorist was just a harmless passenger, who had packed the chocolates and perfumes too close to the laptop. For three hours, Munich airport was not the place to be.

Normally, Munich airport is a perfectly pleasant place to spend a couple of hours, especially at Terminal 2. There are the usual duty-free shops, over-priced restaurants and weird, in the open, massage points. Nevertheless, I don’t mind spending time there. When I read Alain de Botton’s wonderful A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary, I immediately identified with his wishes in the opening paragraph: “I have often longed for my plane to be delayed — so that I might be forced to spend a bit more time at the airport”. I'm so relieved I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Although I wouldn’t want to spend a week at an airport, a couple of hours would be fine. I’m glad Alain spent a week there, however, as his book is a delight to read. (Read the first chapter here. )

So, why do I like Munich so much? You need time to read all the newspapers Lufthansa provides for free. There are some great clothes shops. I actually like working there as I find it strangely calming. But, to be honest, one of the best areas is just past the security checks. It’s the Bobbi Brown counter.

OK, so it is a woman’s oasis. You can get free make-up advice — and a free make-over — while your flight is delayed. And even if it isn't, you can go to the counter if you get to the airport early enough. (You can also go there if you arrive in Terminal 2.) By the way, I don’t sponge make-up off the counter — I never go past without buying something. The stuff is good, and so too is the person behind the brand: Bobbi Brown.

“Be open and be a sponge"

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Bobbi Brown spoke about what she looks for in people when she calls them for a job interview. Her advice at the end is something I would like to repeat here. “Be open and be a sponge,” she urged.

Sponges are good, and sponge is a great word. A sponge is just a primitive, aquatic invertebrate according to the Oxford Dictionary of English, but it has other useful meanings too. It’s a noun — you can use a sponge for putting on make-up, although Bobbi Brown recommends expensive little brushes. It’s a verb — you can sponge something off/from somebody, for example money.

I’d like to add a piece of advice to Bobbi Brown's. If a job interview doesn’t work out, don’t throw in the sponge too soon. Call the company and ask why you weren't offered the job. Sometimes, you may be surprised by the reasons. Learn from them. Be a sponge.

Notes on “throw in the sponge”

Who's ready to throw in the sponge?