I work for the one company in NYC that didn’t take yesterday off, so I was riding the bus home as usual last night. Across from me was an elderly Asian man who had loped onto the bus with heavy plastic grocery bags covered in Chinese writing hanging off of his arms, racing invisible passengers for the many seats that were available. He coughed continuously and unabashedly onto the back of the neck of the woman in front of him while I did my best to hold my breath for the entire trip.
In the East Village, the doors opened at one of the stops, and he turned, paused to make sure no one was coming in the door, and tossed a used tissue out onto the sidewalk. ANIMAL! I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by this after almost eight years of seeing people throw their Doritos bags onto the subway floor, tuck their coffee cups into the space between the seat and the side of the bus, and aim their gum generally toward the trash can without any actual worry about whether it makes it in or not, but as a country girl raised to respect the environment, this stuff kills me.
The idea that this guy couldn’t just tuck his tissue into a pocket for the three stops burned me so much that I had to say, “Wooooow. Unbelievable.” He looked over to see who I was talking to, and I met his eyes and said, “You’re awful.”
6 Comments
One day I’m coming to NYC, and you’re giving me a guided tour of the public transportation, complete with play by play commentary.
I think you’d be too embarrassed to go anywhere with me. I get more and more brave about the things I say and do when I have friends around, so I would’ve undoubtedly told this guy that his mother never loved him and that he’s going to die alone had you been there.
Hahahaha, you said “You’re awful”? That is hilarious. I love it.
I think that’s revolting, and judging by the type of person he sounds like, I bet he WAS smiling because he’d offended you. Who coughs without covering and throws used tissue around? Heathen.
I always try the hold my breath thing, too.
Usually back-fires, though, because after starting to turn blue I totally over-compensate with ‘the’ inhalation.
This is awesome. Seriously awesome.
So sad, funny, and awful.. All at the same time!! NYC in a nutshell. Without the glamour, of course.