Rude awakenings
A 19-year-old guy sits with his back against the side of the El car, sound asleep, his hugging his knees, his feet on the seat next to him. Of course, the train is crowded, and people stand near him, coveting the seat occupied by his feet.
Finally, an older guy boards at Lawrence, walks right up to him and shouts, "Hey man!" and slaps his legs. The guy wakes up with a start and slides over. His new seatmate reminds him to move his bag too.
I keep wondering how you know the age of these people. You keep throwing out ages for people who read books, etc. What, do you ask? Or are you just taking a stab at it?
Posted by: Zes | March 31, 2005 at 08:21 AM
Hi Zes. No, I don't ask. It's all pure guesswork. But they are educated guesses. I figure age tells something about a person more than anything else, except perhaps gender.
You'll note that I usually avoid telling the race of a person, unless it's totally germane to the issue.
Posted by: Kevin | March 31, 2005 at 09:23 AM
I got on the Red line downtown the other day and the only free seat was occupied by the bag of the large guy next to it. I lifted the bag and handed it to him. He tried to put it back as he said, "I'm getting off at the next stop." I replied as I handed it to him again and slid my butt into its place, "That's okay. I'll hop up then." And so I did.
I still don't get what that was about.
Posted by: Kristine | March 31, 2005 at 05:38 PM
It's about marking out one's territory on the subway, that's what it's about. Kind of like a dog pissing on a lamppost.
Posted by: Chris | April 03, 2005 at 11:26 AM