Uncomfortable Silences

I just have to relay something that I found funny.

Yesterday Rick took our van in to get new tires, we have taken our Toyota to the same place for five years, they are nice and know our car, they also have a free shuttle service to and from the shop if you need a ride. (its like finding a good gynecologist or pediatrician, you want to stay with them after they have learned ALL about you)

So this morning they called and said that my van was done and the shuttle would come and get me. I have taken the shuttle before once or twice and I always question whether I should sit up front or take a seat in the second row with Tyler, but I always end up going up front kind of as a sign of respect for the man that is driving....so he won't feel like a taxi driver or that he is my personal cheufor (i don't even know how to spell that).
Anyway, I get in and he has this lovely opera music playing, we say our hello's and he asks if we are all set and then we are off. Normally I don't feel the need to make small talk, but other drivers have asked a random question here and there to fill the 10 minute drive. Today there were no questions, just music and breathing. I couldn't wait to get to the shop, we hit almost every light and a couple of times I wanted to comment on the weather, but I knew from the ever so slight volume of the music, their shouldn't be any other noises made. So I respected that as well, and when we arrived and I thanked him for the ride, I thought....if Rick would have been in the car, he hates uncomfortable silences, he would have known this mans whole life story by the time we got to where we were headed, and that man might have felt a little violated by the end of the ride, so I'm glad I didn't violate him!