Missed kiss
Watching the dynamics between couples on a crowded train is fascinating.
First, they sometimes almost pretend not to know each other, but when you observe their body language and positioning, you can tell right away they are a couple. For instance, they are standing very closely, knees knocking together or their hands touching on the pole they mutually hold.
This morning, a couple got on at Belmont. They were talking to each other, the woman chatting more than the man, smiling and laughing. As the train left the station she fell right into her man. To me, they were obviously a couple, though the man was kind of standoffish.
As the train left Chicago, I saw the woman mouthing some words close to his face, maybe about a foot or so away. She pursed her lips three times and vainly tried to coax a good-bye kiss out of him. He looked away or feinted his head every time.
She exited at Grand and never got her kiss.
Would you kiss your significant other good-bye on the train?
Yes, and I do on those rare mornings that she and I both leave the house at the same time. Why wouldn't you?
Posted by: Steve | July 14, 2004 at 10:52 AM
Hmmm... Either the guy wasn't so into the gal as she was into him, or he was just too embarrassed to display affection publicly! I kind of feel sorry for her. :: My husband and I rarely ride the train together since he works in the suburbs, but if we were parting ways on the train, I'd definitely give him a smooch goodbye. :: Another clue that a couple on the train is a "couple" -- gal rests her head on guy's shoulder. Everyone say, "awwwww...."
Posted by: Margaret | July 14, 2004 at 11:53 AM
Of course I also would kiss my wife good-bye. But some people just aren't as comfortable with public display of affection.
Or, it could be as Margaret suggests that the guy just wasn't "into her." (But then, she was wearing a wedding ring; didn't notice whether he was or not.) Or maybe he cut himself shaving. Or maybe he was having a bad hair day.
Posted by: Kevin | July 14, 2004 at 01:59 PM
I would definitely kiss him goodbye... along with a special pat on the bottom for all to see. =)
Posted by: Erin | July 16, 2004 at 08:39 PM
I LOATHE the snuggly-couples. They make me nauseous. A little goodbye peck is one thing--but I've seen some of these gruesome twosomes practically licking each other's internal organs. And the ootsy-wootsy baby talk: BARF!!
The snuggly-bunnies are also way more likely to chatter loudly about inane and/or highly-personal topics. The only ones who can hold a candle to them are cell-phoners and high-school kids in groups of three or more. I have two strategies that work wonders when I'm faced with snuggle-bunnies (come to think of it, they're quite useful with the other two groups as well)--1: a move to the other end of the car, and 2: earplugs. Works every time.
Posted by: gladys | July 16, 2004 at 11:53 PM