Touchy

[muckefuck]

I woke up so early today I thought I might make the 7:40 shuttle. But I didn't have the oomph in me, so I ended up on the 8:20. It wasn't crowded, but it was pretty full, so I didn't have any qualms about getting someone to move a bag so I could sit down. Actually, I rarely have qualms about that, no matter how empty the bus is. There are four seats right near the exit door which are substantially more comfortable than any of the others; if I can, I'll take one.

Trouble was, the owner of this bag was asleep--sound asleep. I tried gently shaking her shoulder, but she didn't stir at all. There were people standing behind me and I was getting self-conscious, so I thought I'd just shift her bag to the floor. THAT got her awake. In fact, it flipped her the fuck out. Suddenly she was yelling, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? DON'T TOUCH MY THINGS!"

"Do you mind if sit here?"

"YOU CAN BUT DON'T TOUCH MY THINGS!"

"Calm down, no one is trying to take your stuff."

"DON'T TOUCH MY THINGS!"

"So I should touch you instead?"

"I WAS ASLEEP!"

"I know, I tried to wake you, but you were really out."

"THEN SHAKE ME HARDER BUT DON'T TOUCH MY PROPERTY!"

"Whatever."

I can't believe she's so completely blind to the issues with a (large, older, white) man manhandling a (petite, young, Asian) woman in public. Moreover, if you're that worried about your stuff, falling asleep with it sitting on an empty seat RIGHT NEXT TO THE REAR DOOR is a bizarre way to keep it secure.

More evidence, I think, that the cherubs here need a course in Transit Sanity 101.

Comments

[mollyc-q.livejournal.com]

Thing of note, no consideration, no apology for taking up a seat with her bag on a rush hour shuttle.....she should try remedial Transit Basics 101, then maybe Transit Sanity 101, as required follow up.

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

Or at least a good hiding! These kids today, I tell ya...

[mollyc-q.livejournal.com]

true.... very true.....

[mollyc-q.livejournal.com]

forgot to add, and with areia's anecdote in mind also, Its like some people believe they get extra points for being a shrill public spectacle while over reacting when they have created a nuisance.

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

Gotta have some way of getting that daily dose of negative attention.

[areia.livejournal.com]

My favorite example of one of those was a woman on the Red Line last year who had a Jewel bag sitting on the seat in front of her. She watched me ask the woman sitting right next to this bag to move it only to be told it wasn't hers, but it wasn't until I shrugged my shoulders and tried to move the bag that she pitched a screaming fit about me 'touching her things without asking'. She got my patented Death Stare #3.