after i introduced him to talya i could tell she didnt trust him , but he was sharp enough to sense her feelings and when he rather graciously offered us his two season tickets to the monday night performances of the thessaloniki state orchestra -- he said he was given the box seats by virtue of his position as the cultural affairs officer but he very seldom had the time or inclination to use them -- talya relented a little and smiled at him as i thanked him for his kindness and accepted the tickets .