I have a degree too, you know

I have a part-time job for the last 2 months now. It involves doing research in a library. Most times I will go out at some point and have a smoke. A couple of days ago I went out and found a girl smoking in my spot. She wore very particular work clothes indicating that she is working manually in the library, something like cleaning. She also had a bizarre behaviour, as if she was hidding from somebody. She was smoking. As soon as I approached and started smoking myself, she turned to me and said 'I am sorry'. I was surprised and I asked her what was it that she apologised for. She told me that sometimes in the past people would distance themselves when she would approach this spot. I didnt really understand but I said that there was nothing to feel sorry for. Almost a minute later and being pretty sure by then that she was hidding behind a tree, I asked her why she was doing that. She answered that it was her break but it is not really professional to smoke during your break. I smiled. I thought that my professional integrity should have been seriously compomised as well. Then, she started talking to me. She described many students in the university's library as being very rude and looking down at her. They didnt even say 'thank you'. She mentioned it makes her so happy when somebody would address her and tell her 'have a nice day'. There was something in the way she was talking and her body language that one could see that she was felt really bad and uncomfortable about the situation. At some point she stopped, lighted another cigarette and said 'I have a degree too, you know. I work in education with autistic children. But things are pretty difficult at the moment and I have a young daughter. So I work here. Perhaps I should wear a badge saying ''I have a degree too'''. I laughed. 'What do you think?', she asked. I told her that she was troubled with things and people that didnt worth of her attention. Not for a second. But if she could not deal with this, in any case she should not tolerate such behaviour by anybody and especially by 20 year old spoiled children. She gave some thought to this for a minute in silence while staring at me straight to the eyes. She looked like a person genuinely surprised by what she had been told. She broke her silence and said 'I think you re right'. I tried to recall when was the last time i saw someone so determinative and assertive. But she didnt give enough time to remember. She shaked my hand and told me 'pleased to meet you'. You dont listen to this greeting often nowdays, do you?

Rolling Stones, 'Sympathy for the devil' or 'pleased to meet you'.