Most recent entries
Experiment 2: Strengths Finder 2.0
Jeepers Creepers, the Subway is full of Sneaky Geezers
Sunday, July 10, 2005
All the weird/scary people that I’ve avoided all year are all suddenly crawling out of the woodwork!
It happened yesterday on the 4 train to Brooklyn from the Upper East Side. It was going to be a long ride—at least 45 minutes. So Susan and I plopped down on a bench, grateful to have found a seat on a busy weekend during tourist season. This older guy white, maybe in his 40s, sat down next to me, sitting so close that his furry forearm kept brushing me. I tried to ignore it, telling myself it was because the train was crowded. But it didn’t take very long to confirm that it was NOT because the train was full.
He turned to stare at me intently. “What time is it?” he drawled in some kind of European accent.
“I don’t know. I don’t have a watch.”
“Oh, then what language do you speak? Chinese? Korean?” Obviously, he was trying to start a conversation.
“Neither.” Short. No smile. Turned my head away.
“What language besides English do you speak?”
“None.” I don’t even turn my head to look at him.
He let me think he was going to leave me along. I tried in vain to continue a conversation with Susan, making up ANYTHING to say, just to be talking to someone else. Silly me. Did I think that would actually work? He brushed me with his fuzzy forearms again.
“Do you like boys? Men? Or do you like girls?” He glanced at Susan.
I sat there, SHOCKED that he asked such a question. He was obviously interested in my sexual orientation for one reason, and that was NOT to start up a discussion about politics and gay/lesbian rights to marriage. He was asking because he was looking for a possible hook-up. Even if I told him I was lesbian to discourage him from trying to pursue, it might have actually excited him and encouraged him more. Ick.
My mouth was still hanging slack as all these thoughts ran through my head. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I replied icily, “I don’t think I have to dignify that question with an answer!” and turned away, but didn’t stand to leave. I was not about to give up my seat because some creep thought he could get something from me. And so I continued to sit, blocking him out with our own conversation.
Minutes later, two Chinese girls stepped on, and he offered them his seat. No, not offered, verbally cornered them into taking the seat. He then hit on them until they felt uncomfortable and got off at the next stop. Ah, yellow fever. The man had it bad.
So he sat back down and began to spread himself out so that no matter how far I scooched over, he leg was still in contact with mine. I finally made a big deal about scooting over a lot, crowding into Susan’s space and the guy next to her. He looked over, “Sorry, did I…?” I don’t even know what he said. I blocked it out.
He finally got out and I could finally let go of all the restraint that kept me from biting his head off verbally and making a scene in the car. I was trying to be good; after all, it was the Sabbath. He should be so lucky that it was God’s day and I had just come from church, so the reminder to be kind was still fresh in my head. Otherwise, I’m sure human nature would have taken over, and he would not be so happy after having to deal with me. What a struggle. No wonder people in New York are hard.