random thought and feeling

Yesterday someone sat across from me (two chairs down) at the table I had at Oakenshields during dinner. I had seen this person in Oakenshields before and I remember thinking that they were a very hard working no-frills type of person by observing the way they quickly went through their food yet showed refinement. But it seemed to me like they were rushing through things and didn't pay attention to, or perhaps care, about what was going on around them. One of the "I-know-what-I-want-and-I'm-going-to-get-it" attitudes. In any case, this person sat across from me two chairs down (I was at a booth table). They started reading a book as they ate - I think it was for hw and not pleasure because it had a used sticker on it from the Campus store (more reason for me to think they had the above attitude). The whole time they sat there I just wanted to lean over and say, "Slow down. Take a breath, enjoy your food. Take a moment to enjoy your surroundings, to enjoy the people in your surroundings. Let yourself slow down." I wanted to say such a thing to this person, to hopefully get them to awaken from their hurried rush. Instead, in the middle of one of my hacking-up-a-lung sessions (I've been sick and coughing a lot lately) they asked me (glancing up from their book) if I was alright. Before I could fully complete my, "Yeah I'll be fine. Thank you," they had already looked down at their book. Considering the opportunity for response had been opened I still almost wanted to say, "slow down." But I held my peace not wanting to accidentally cause a confrontation (they seemed the type of person who might not take it the right way). Then as the person packed up and walked by me on their way out they asked me to take care and wished I would get better soon. Again, my, "Oh, thank you. Have a good night," was probably barely heard as they swiftly left the vicinity. I don't know why, but I had a feeling that I can't describe after that, and I don't know what it was. It sort of remained with me for the rest of the night. Was it that they had given me something but I had given nothing in return? Was it the fact of feeling lonely when you have to rely on a total stranger to sincerely wish you good health? Or was it the fact of feeling cared for when a total stranger sincerely wishes you good health? I don't know what it was, maybe it was a combination of the above (but I know some side of the loneliness factor was involved because thoughts of being lonely and not lonely went through my mind as they left). But I hope I see this person again, maybe I'll tell them to slow down and appreciate what's around them more.