Yesterday afternoon, 3:45 pm on November 29th, I had the pleasure of riding the E train bound for Manhattan. Sluggishly like an inexperienced Santa, I hauled two bags of presents expected in the Philippines for my cousins' and godchildrens' Christmas. Frequent entertainment entering and exiting the car lifted my mood. Finally I found space on the bench as somebody got up and exited at the Forest Hills station. As I approached the bench to sit, two women quickly spread their legs to block the spot as I approached it and also scooted over to the left side. They used their legs as a blockade by opening them up. You can say this was an unattractive/restrictive measure, but I didn't give up. I stood there and said excuse me until the less ruder, but still rude, woman made space. She kept pushing at me on the bench trying to signal that she did not want me sitting and but then I just kept smiling to the onboard entertainment. She gave up and can be seen standing in the picture I posted (unfortunately... or maybe fortunately for her, no face shown). Her other friend, who's face is shown gave looks to me throughout the whole right and became very whiny with her friend, purposely so I would hear it and occasionally gave me angry looks. Yet, I was able to enjoy the entertainment and smiled happily.
What's the moral here? Be nicer on the subways? Don't act like a brat? What's better said is that you don't need to spark a heated argument to get what's right. I didn't back away when they showed their sign of unwelcoming. I didn't give them the attitude they gave me, but in the end I won a well relaxed ride to the city.
OH YEAH, don't spread you're legs. It's unattractive. Interpret that anyway you want. ;)
P.S. What would have shocked me, even though it would have been a nice surprise was if these girls would grow up and give me an apology, but maybe I'll let those who see this face and know them help me get one. Here's all I know:
- Got off at Roosevelt Ave on the Manhattan Bound E Train at 3:45 pm on 11/29/12
- Picture is above
