Bobby Cox–I Feel You (Although I’m On The Red Line)!
By Oscar Ocuto on Thu 2 Mar 2006 |
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Last Saturday, I was riding on the Metro (Red Line) from the Rhode Island Ave. stop to Takoma Park…I was seated to the left of the double doors, and noticed that there were several (NOTE: s-e-v-e-r-a-l) empty rows around me. I took the one nearest the doors/glass partition.
After settling in and making it sort of obvious I wanted that particular row to myself–I sat-slash-lounged here, by the window with my leg over the half-line (the divider between window/aisle seat), I started one of my favorite habits: people-watching!
A couple stops later, this big, burly sixtysomething fella (I’ll call him MrMackDaddy) comes in, looks on the other side of the double-doors, notices a smattering of Metro-ers, and then glances to his left, in the area where I’m sitting-slash-lounging. He had glasses on, so I KNOW he noticed the miasma of absent, Metro-er ready seats that I had surrounded myself in.
Readers, just venture a guess as to where MrMackDaddy decides to plant his posterior?
Y E S. Right next to me. Without even making eye contact, he began wedging himself between my outstretched/crossed leg and the remaining portion of the aisle seat.
Before I did anything, I glanced around once more to double-check and ensure that I had not been hallucinating when I observed the plethora of E-M-P-T-Y seats around me. Sure enough, the seats beckoned, lonely for the warmth of a passenger, still void.
THEN I decided to humor MrMackDaddy, because you-never-know-he-could-be-one-of-those-just-about-to-crack-nuts-that-are-looking-for-a-minute-reason-to-POP!-and I moved myself. My left shoulder felt the ample girth of his posterior and I knew that there would be no way that MrMackDaddy and I could enjoy the remainder of our rides squashed together like sardines in a HALF-CAN!
So, as he was 1/2-way down, I began my ascent, and passed him on the way up–trying to make eye contact.
NO, MackDaddy doesn’t even bat an eye in my direction. He just keeps staring ahead through his horn-rimmed glasses and listening to whatever was coming through his headphones. I let out a slightly disgruntled sigh after vacating MY seat, and ensured that I made it obvious that I was struggling to decide which EMPTY row to occupy.
EUREKA! I decided to seat myself in the gloriously four or five-foot vacant space that was just around the ol’ bend–directly across from MackDaddy. Still no eye contact from him, not even the courtesy of the cursory glance from him towards me! It was as if I had suddenly materialized into…
nothingness.
The nerve of some people! But then again, I thought…I’ve got my life ahead of me with exciting adventures just waiting to unfold…MackDaddy has clearly eclipsed the horizon and is ambling along silently, unflinchingly, not-cursory-glancingly ahead into the twilight…
It could’ve been worse for me, perhaps. I guess I made this sixtysomething THAT much happier. Just a wee nudge to help him along into the twilight.
MrMackDaddy, may you enjoy the final salute into your twilight, while I set out to experience the riches of life.
Bon Voyage!
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11 Comments
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Yeah i really don’t get people like that. People who seat themselves next to you even though there’s a couple of other rows or 5 available. That does boggle my mind.
Since being in the DC area and riding the metro on a regular basis for nearly 3 years. It’s better than it used to be…i can’t complain cuz it does get me to where I want to go.
Yeah, I can relate to it very well. One time, my date and I went to a local cinema. Arriving early, the auditorium was empty and we had a pleasure of choosing seats anywhere. So we sat down and enjoying the fact of having the whole theater to ourselves. Then…. guess what? That’s right. A couple showed up and parked their asses RIGHT behind us! We were like… uh? Exuuuuse us!
I linked to this post on my website… was working on a blog about body language/communication and for some reason this seemed connected! Curious what you think.
…not-cursory-glancingly…
That made me laugh and laugh.
You’re preaching to the converted here! Aren’t the people on the Metro so interesting! Now that I’m a battle-hardened Metro rider, I can usually out-stare someone. Usually.
Only the strong survive. Mr. Mack Daddy was challenging your lounging status quo and obviously he won.
If I were you, I’d brace for impact, spread my legs apart and consume as much of the space as possible and make Mr. Mack Daddy so uncomfortable he’ll want to move or at least wonder why he ever sat next to you. For bigger guys, the last straw is usually the arm rest firmly wedged against their kidney.
Umm, have you even thought about if MrMackDaddy was legally blind? Perhaps he wanted to sit in the seat closest to the doors for that reason? Or maybe there was a reason for him sitting where he chose to that was not obvious to you? All I am saying is, it’s not fair for any one of us to make assumptions and judgements about another person without knowing what their reasons were. Besides, we shouldn’t sweat the small stuff because it’s all small stuff. You moved to another seat. No big deal. =)
Maybe he just thought you were cute and well, you know.
Erin:
Agreed–the Metro does get us all from Point A to Point B…glad for the city’s service to us DCists (no pun intended) :)
Kevin:
Bummer. No chance for a quiet, serene, mid-movie make-out session. Hate when that happens!
Joseph:
Commented on your blog :)
Brock:
That you, Aaron?
Bobby:
You said it :) Remind me to show you a comic strip one of these days (RE: staring). I may scan and post it, if I get around to it :)
Tim:
We all choose our battles wisely, don’t we? :)
Keri:
You make a valid point. Thanks for your observations! Although, I was just venting. We all like to do that from time to time, don’t we? Maybe blogging is a good venue in which to…vent, no?
Rob:
Need I say anything further?
Maybe he thought you were cute. I think you are cute! *giggle* Yeah, I’m pretty sure he wanted to butter your muffin. Ah, brings back a lot of deaf school memories.
You’re right, Oscar. Maybe it’s wiser for someone who’s only 130 lbs with less muscle mass to walk away.