Tell me where your allegiance lies in this scenario--I saw this school girl on the train, she was sitting in the vestibule bit. She was probably about 16, and had a big backpack and folders and stuff. She was just minding her own business, and looked pretty tired. She'd probably been studying till the wee hours for the chemistry exam in second period.
Then this other lady got on, who was maybe 40, and was rockin' the white socks and sneakers with black stockings and power-dressed upper half look that I'm so fond of. She was holding a novel that she was trying to read while standing up. Probably a crime novel or something about some angsty romance in Tuscany.
Anyway, this lady was looking at the school girl like she wanted to kill her. She kept glancing at her and tut-tutting, and then turning back to Tuscany in utter disgust. Her face was a big grimace of narrowed eyes and pursed lips. Being fairly good at mind-reading, I could tell she was thinking how dare this little brat take a seat, when I, a grown Working Woman could be sitting there. How dare she not vacate. How dare she not even acknowledge my tut-tuttery.
But I liked this school girl, because even though she was probably aware of Ms. Tuscany's fury, she didn't worry about her, or get chizzy herself. She just gave a vague expression of "I'm not going to bother with you".
Now, I know that this is a tricky one. Teenagers are often annoying on trains, and don't show much respect. And usually I'm the first to take the side of the Grown Adult. But I just hated Tuscany's attitude, like it was her right to sit, and the world must jump out of the way as she enters the carriage. Lady, you've got sneakers on, so you are obviously quite capable of standing for ten minutes. You are carrying a handbag, whereas this girl has a massive backpack and bunch of folders. And she's practically an adult now anyway.
Maybe it's you, Tuscany, who needs to learn a bit more respect and understanding.
11 comments:
Well there did used to be signs up in public transport that school children were to stand for adults, so if the girl knew that, noticed the woman's ire, and kept sitting there, sounds like she was deliberately flouting the rules of conduct ...
It does sound like the woman's attitude wasn't great and I might have liked the teenager more. But at the same time I think ignoring the fact that you're making someone else upset, when you are probably the party in the 'wrong', is not particularly admirable.
I agree with you Ben...I wouldn't consider a 16yr old to be a child, and since the adult wasn't showing any reason for HAVING to sit down, she should just realize that it's a chance you take with public transportation. I don't think it right of her to try and pressure that girl to get up.
You're asking whether we should go with the law (presuming this is a rule in Sydney as well as Bris) or the "who deserves the seat the most" emotional reaction! Hmmm, tough one.
And can we be sure the woman wanted the seat for herself, and didn't just think the girl should get up if the train was full? (Because, I agree, maybe she didn't need the seat for herself.) I have to say, I have been a little disgusted in the past when a bunch of school kids continued to sit on a bus when it filled up with adults - because I think if you are still at school and under 18 you're not an adult, plus your fare will be cheaper. (And occasionally have known the bus driver to turn around and tell them to get up.)
The girl was sitting down because she was pregnant. First trimester, so she wasn't showing but she was feeling really and truely foul. And tired, as Ben said. The chemistry test was the least of her worries.
Let her sit in peace. Ms. Tuscany, you should be ashamed of yourself!
Ali- I know what you're saying about rules. Usually I'd be with you. But surely there can be some common sense that can apply too. I don't think it was a case of flouting the rules, she was just tired and had a lot to carry.
And yes, the lady wanted the seat for herself. I hear what you're saying about gnarly teens, but there's teenagers and there's teenagers. This girl looked completely harmless, and the lady was sooooo ready to just write her off in an instant.
Beth- here, here.
Wendy- Yes, choose wisely! Man wasn't made for the rules, but rules for the man... or something like that.
Simone- You're terrible, Muriel
I'm thinking it sounds more like teen girl was stoned because she was up half the night smoking dope, thus she was so disorganised about how to manage her school stuff that she was carrying not one, but several folders (who does that in school - if you can't get your stuff for one day in your backpack, something is wrong. I want to write to her and tell her to get some of those little coloured dividers and you can have a few sheets for each subject in your one folder and sort it out at home) ...
Ali, I never had you pegged as such a nanna ;)
And this whole incident reminds me of Ben Folds' 'The Frown Song'. Warning: contains obscenity. (Maybe unnecessary to say this, since I already said it was Ben Folds, but you know, I like to be covered.)
Maybe I just want a seat on the train more often, so I can read my book (about something other than my year in Tuscany)! But I have never tried a sort of passive-aggressive tut-tutting - just as well because it would not appear to work anyhow.
Truth is I hardly ever catch a train. But you know, the youth of today, they have no stamina - they get so exhausted carrying their school bag they think they can break the law. In my day you walked, and you carried your shoes too so they didn't wear out ... (well maybe not that last bit).
I seriously think I could help this girl sort out the massive pile of luggage she seems to be dragging to school though ...
I do have an "issue" with Ms. Tuscany in this scenario also however, aside from her passive-aggressive tuttings. Why is she decked out in Ben's favourite outfit, with her sneakers on, if she's ON THE TRAIN? If you can get away with that outfit, you can do so because you can't, or choose not to, use public transport, but not to stand around reading books.
And now I think I have sufficiently analysed the scene of the crime ...
(Might go have a cup of tea and do some crochet! Hah! :) ...)
nothing like complete obliviousness (if that's a word) to get up the nose of passive aggressive types!!
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