Being Chuck
Over the last 2 years a very strange phenomenon has been occurring. It’s not something totally foreign to me as it was pointed by my grandmother 20 years ago, however, it has resurfaced with a vengeance. It’s not something I embraced initially but I have begun to understand it better over time.
I couldn’t be lucky enough to look like Brad Pitt or George Clooney. No, instead it’s the martial arts movie man also known as Walker, Texas Ranger. I would have been OK with it if it stopped at a cameo fight appearance in “Return of the Dragon” or B-grade cult classic “Delta Force” but really…Texas Ranger?
Don’t even get me started about “Lone Wolf McQuade”
As stated earlier, almost 2 decades ago I was visiting my grandmother donning a beard (me, not my grandmother) when she told me to shave as I looked like that “hoodlum” Chuck Norris. The reference didn’t sink in nor did I really see the resemblance at that time but I was impressed grandma even knew who Chuck was. I once was accused of looking like the Honeycomb Kid (on the cereal box) but Chuck is a lot shorter and a frankly older than yours truly.
In 2009, it reared its ugly head again – in a diner in Kamloops, British Columbia. Predominantly a mill town, the diner was a place where it was plausible the patrons owned Chuck Norris VHS box sets. Our waitress told me her co-workers thought I looked like Chuck Norris. Without hesitation, and for those who know me you will not be surprised, I told her I was Chuck Norris. She fist pumped and enthusiastically shouted “I knew it”. After signing a menu for the diner wall, we enjoyed our complimentary meal and left the restaurant with a good chuckle.
Perhaps knowing that you look like Chuck Norris leads one to carry his subconscious persona? Nah just kidding… but the recognition did start to escalate soon after as Ashley and I made our way to Africa to run the Zambezi and climb Kilimanjaro. In our first airport, a few security people joked that I looked like Chuck and we moved through unencumbered. It wasn’t until Victoria Falls trying to catch a charter flight to Hwange National Park that dividends stared to flow. We had recovered the lost bags of another guest and were trying to get the overweight load through a backlog at the check-in desk.
I was told that one bag was allowed and there were no exceptions. I tried to explain the additional bags belonged to a 70-year old woman but was not making headway. This is when “Being Chuck” became very helpful. One of the intervening supervisors was convinced I had traveled with them before. I assured him that I had not but was scouting the region for future business. He was persistent and asked me why I looked so familiar? Seizing the opportunity, I told him I was Chuck Norris, Texas Ranger and reached across the counter with a firm handshake.
He was so pleased to have a Chuck flying with his airline that we were escorted past security and straight out on to the tarmac. The excess bag issues were as far behind us as the rest of the tourists waiting in the massive line up. Being Chuck certainly had some advantages (although I’d still rather look like George Clooney).
Two weeks later on Kilimanjaro, the porters would fight each morning over who would carry my bags. We also noticed our tent was pitched in prime locations at every camp. I realized that this could present a problem for our paying guests and tried to get our lead trekking guide, Festo, to break it to them gently that I was not Chuck Norris. The porters refused to believe him as they had been bragging to other groups of porters and would not retreat. The word is that Chuck Norris films and shows are the rage these days on buses in Zimbabwe. Who knew?
Later in early 2010, I was also identified as Chuck when traveling through Argentina. We became further beneficiaries by not being hassled in markets or late-night on the streets Buenos Aires as well as special treatment in hotels, restaurants and shops. New arrivals to our Futaleufu trip were skeptical of our claims until they all received 25% off their purchases at a local leather shop.
In Mendoza, I made a comment to Ashley about a group of men who were ogling her in high heels and shorts as we were headed out for dinner. Much to both of our surprise, they yelled “Hey Chuck” and were all very pleased when I waved in acknowledgment (Ashley also wishes I looked like George Clooney or Brad Pitt!). That aside, the ultimate success in this phenomenon was when I missed a connection in Buenos Aires recently. The nice folks at American Airlines rescheduled me on a Miami flight a few hours later but warned me it was oversold and unlikely I would get on. When asked if I get told I look like Chuck Norris, I said I was Chuck. Despite having a Canadian passport with my name on it, I was immediately confirmed and upgraded.
The benefits of Being Chuck are growing everyday. So much… I feel obligated to purchase a Total Gym in Chuck’s honour. With no assembly required, easy storage, convenient payment plans and a money back guarantee how could I go wrong?
Cheers,
Canuck Norris