Idiots daily

[avrelia]

Lots of people are idiots. Toronto being a rather large city has its fair share of them. Here is the latest specimen I encountered.

I am riding the subway to work and back home. The ride is not long - four stations only, so I don't mind standing. Of course if there are any free seats available, I sit happily, but when people offer me their seats (moved by my giant protruding belly) I thank and usually refuse. I do need to find a good balance and stand firm though, so I prefer to stand at side of seats near the door - there I have some protection against sudden stops and moves. These sides are not very wide and usually they are all taken as well as the seats. Anyway.

yesterday I managed to find an empty side and situated myself comfortably as not to bother people entering and exiting the train, as the guy squeezed between me and the door. A guy about indeterminate age and look - between 40 and sixty, white, thin, slightly shabby. He apologized profusely and said that he was going to stand there if I don't mind. I answered that I mind because I already am standing there and he makes me uncomfortable. He said that he said that it's okay because he is going to stand there anyway, and it's only for couple of stops. I said that the train has plenty of space and he could go and stand anywhere he wants. He smiled humbly yet happily. For the next two stops we were silent. I was not very uncomfortable - there was my massive handbag between us and I had plenty of room, but I started to get VERY pissed (some work stuff didn't led to much happy feelings). So I decided to use my bag as a weapon and make him as uncomfortable as I could. Which has worked because he started mumbling that I am mean and all that. I answered that I have to make myself comfortable and find a good balance not to fall down and he can go stand anywhere he wants. he said he stays there and some other annoying stuff I don't remember. The train stopped and he did leave, thanking me for being so gracious. I told him to fuck himself and I felt much better that. When I walked home though I almost with I didn't make a scandal over that for all the train. But I would feel even more stupid for making a scandal. And he was just a random idiot you meet every day in a city.

Comments

[soundingsea.livejournal.com]

What a creep! I hate when people on public transit try to intrude on my personal bubble. Bleh.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Especially since on a public transit, one's personal bubble is already squeezed by necessity. And there was plenty of room to stand somewhere else!

[jonesiexxx.livejournal.com]

Did he have a mentally ill or psychologically disturbed vibe?

Most men will not argue with the comfort needs of a pregnant woman. They might not spontaneously be helpful or even care, but when confronted with womanly stuff (periods, yeast infections, pregnancy) they generally shrink back.

The shabbiness is also an indicator that this is not quite normal.

This is very odd behaviour indeed.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

His shabbiness had a feel "intelligentsia in proud poverty", and if he had an insane vibe, I would go away rather fast myself. But no, he just had an assholish vibe.

[jonesiexxx.livejournal.com]

And what I didn't say, but should have.

I'm really sorry you had to go through that. Feh.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

::hugs::

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Lots of people are, but this one has the edge of obstinate weirdness I abhorr especially.

Grr.

::hugs you::

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

::hugs back::

He was just way too full of himself, I think.

[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

Creep.

Grr-Argh.

How you doing in summer heat?

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I am fine. But it's not that hot yet around here - and not all the time. We'll see how it will go.