I realize that my last post may have led you to believe that I’m one of those rude New Yorkers (i.e. train people) who shamelessly stare at strangers on public transportation.Let me assure you that this is not the case. In fact, I pride myself on being a bus person. You might be asking yourself, “What is a bus person?” Why, I’d be more than happy to answer that question.
As I see it, there are two types of people in this world: bus people and train people. Bus people are typically people who ride the bus. Wait, wait, wait, there’s more, I promise.
If you get on a bus, a bus person will look at you, check out how you’re wearing your hair, glance at your shoes, peek at your outfit, and then they politely loose interest and return to staring out the window.
A train person [gags a little]; these wretched people are the type of people who will stare at you from the second you enter the train until the moment you depart. These people stare at you until you start to feel uncomfortable. Oh, and don’t think that just because you’ve caught them staring that they’ll stop. Oh no, train people have no shame – they’ll stare at you until you timidly look away (the bastards)!
As you can tell, I feel very strongly about this. I had a terrifying experience once that still shakes me to the core whenever I think about it. But since we’re so close, I’ll share. I was on the train one evening. I was minding my own business (as any good bus person would do) when the conductor announced that the station we were in was the last stop. He informed us that there was a shuttle bus waiting upstairs to take us the rest of the way. Instantly, I panicked. I was going to be on a bus with train people!!!!! As you might have guessed, there is a lot less room on a bus, which meant that I would be standing, in a very tight space, next to…. dun, dun, dun…. TRAIN PEOPLE!!!!!!
I know you’re probably thinking that I’m being a little dramatic here, but let me tell you friends, I’m not. By the time I got on the shuttle bus, all the seats were taken. So, I ended up standing in front of a guy who kept staring up at me. I could feel his bulging eyes burning a hole right through me. He stared up at me for over 15 minutes! I kept wishing that he would get a neck cramp, but sadly, he didn’t. My palms started sweating and my face got really hot. I felt helpless. When I finally reached my stop, I ran off that bus so fast that I nearly knocked someone down.
So friends, the next time you have to take a train, be sure to check the advisories on the MTA website, and if you see the word “shuttle” anywhere on the page, take my advice, and just stay home. Please don’t let this happen to you.
6 comments:
I prefer to take the train as opposed to a bus. And I must admit, I will stare sometimes. But with no ill-will or bad intent. I'm just a people watcher, can't help myself. I must say though, your blog tickles my fancy.
Awww, I tickle you! Thanks Ano! Oh, and bus people take all forms of transportation, it’s more of a state of mind (whatever that means). I understand the draw to stare at people on the train, because there isn’t much else to do. Just remember to take a break every now and again. Rest those eyes. Try reading one of the many wonderful ads. I learned some good energy saving tips that way. Oh, and that “Poetry in Motion” – riveting stuff!
I'm sleeping most times on the train, so if someone is staring; I don't see. If I do catch some strange guy looking my way, I put on my "better not watch me face or I'll beat you up face" all the time knowing, I'll just run should he approach.
Hey, there's no shame in running (nods supportively).
Oh you took the words right out of my mouth. I was on the train last weekend going up to the Bronx. The conductor makes an announcement that we are to take the shuttle bus to another train stop and contine on from there. I have never in my life been so disgusted with people than I was that day. I mean everyone was running late to whatever destination they were going, but you had one jerk who decided that yelling and cursing was gonna get the next bus to come quicker. The profanity coming out of his mouth was atrocious and not to mention the amount of anger he had. To make matters worse, I eneded up standing in front of him while he sat and of course he stared at me almost the whole way. But here is where you and I differ my dear. I looked him right in the face and gave him the nastiest look ever. He turned his head the other way. message received loud and clear. Train people are the absolute worst, though there are some good apples within the bunch....lol
LOL! Mimi it definitely sounds like you are a force to be reckoned with. Good for you.
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