Mr. Chatty
Monday, April 21st, 2008The morning rush hour, although jam packed, is usually quite silent. People are reading or sleeping or listening to iPods. It is understood that you keep your volume low.
By almost everyone. But there are always some exceptions… like this morning.
I get onto the subway, still in a doze even though I was coming from a half hour bus ride. I settle in my seat, a lady sitting beside me to prop me up (falling over is embarrassing), and I sleep.
Two stops later, a family get on. I smile at the two cute little girls, looking as sleepy as I am. The mom is a bit harried, trying to find a space for the giant stroller in a full car. People give up their seats for the three. The dad attempts to grab a seat and gets cut eye from a lady in high heels.
The dad is obviously French. He is dressed in yellow and purple and has felt fruit, cherries and oranges, sewed into his pants. Only the French can pull over that look without looking like the fruit he’s wearing.
Then he opens his mouth… loudly, jolting the entire sleeping car awake, and removes all doubt. Yep, French. He, at ear bursting levels, starts to play a game with the eldest girl. They point out passengers and then talk about what animal the passenger resembles. Yeah, not a nice game.
I’m thinking they’re assuming no one on the subway speaks French but this is an international city. I, although not competent enough to speak it, can understand it perfectly well. By the immediate horror on some other faces, I know I’m not the only one.
Regardless tone is universal. People know when they’re being ridiculed. Especially when the little girls point at people and start giggling.
And because he’s yelling, there is no ignoring him. Of course, there’s a medical emergency on another train, stopping our train. Of course, the family is going to the end of the line. Of course, he doesn’t stop yelling the entire trip.
It is going to be one of those days.