From: "Name Withheld"
To: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:11:42
Subject: Rude people
Hey,
So I just found your go train website tonight as I was fooling around on Google and your poll question made me want to email you.
I don't know how many people read your site so I'd like it if you could keep me anonymous. I don't ride the Lakeshore East but I do take the same train every morning on a different line and sit on the same car with people I see almost everyday and recently, at around Christmas, this woman started taking the train. She carries with her everyday a fullsize pillow with a cartoon character on it. Already I may be giving too much away but I can't hold this in much longer. We have quite a ways to go so once she boards, she settles in for her nap. She puts in earplugs, puts on a night mask and adjusts her pillow. The problem is she snores. Snores like a fright train roaring towards a cavernous concourse of a train station. It's so loud that no one else can concentrate and people won't move because seats are gone quickly and the train gets super packed just after the first couple of stops.
Monday morning I was late catching the train and the only seat free was across from her. I noticed a few regulars were prepared because both of them were wearing headphones. I had nothing, not even a book and I was annoyed I'd be sitting with her. I don't like to stand as I find the rocking of the train causes me to feel nauseous and besides, why should her nasty ignorant habit force me to have to stand? She was already settled in but hadn't put her earplugs in yet. I had a shit night and wasn't prepared for a full hour of this bullshit so I decided I would say something.
So I said to her, I hope you don't plan on sleeping this morning because I have a migraine and maybe no one has ever told you but you snore very loud. I had no idea how else to tell her and tried to keep my tone polite. She actually said, Excuse me?. So I said, you snore and it bothers everyone on this train. She repeats what I said and I said yes. So she says well that's tough for you, isn't it and tough for everyone and re-adjusts herself and crams her earplugs into her ears. I sighed and then this lady behind me says, Stand your ground, son. So I turn around and she peers at me between the seats and says, I'm glad you said something. I just nodded and the guy beside her says he's pretty sick of her.
Anyway, the snoring beast heard what we said and yanks out her earplugs (which seem to be useless) and tells us that if we have anything to say we should say it to her face. She was really pissing me off. I mean, what is WITH people?!! This isn't a rolling hotel. It's a public commuter train. Why should we be subjected to her crap?!!! I ignored her. We were moving now at this point and had the attention of pretty much everyone on-board. I was at a loss for how to fix this so I just kept ignoring her and stared out the window. Then out of nowhere she kicked me in the shin. If I were a woman, I would have slapped her but that ain't right no matter who you are so I stood up and said I was going to find the CSA so that when we got to Union, a cop would be waiting for her so I could press charges for assault. I climbed out of the quad and walked through the train and I was so wound up. My heart was hammering away and I feel like an idiot because I didn't pursue it. I guess I should have.
I've seen her everyday this week as I refuse to switch trains but I think other people have said something to her because she didn't sleep this morning.
I would think that snoring would be number 1 on everyone's list of things that other passengers do that make it for a rough train ride in. So I don't think I'm alone here.
18 comments:
No, you're not alone.
I don't care how angry someone makes you, hitting another person isn't acceptable and you're the better person for walking away.
Your story is a good example of why we all put up with a lot of crap. Because we do see these same people everyday and don't want issues. But does that means we should allow bad behaviour that makes us resent taking the train? Hell no, and this woman has to realize she has a role to play here. I find it hard to believe that she's not aware of her snoring and she's wrong if she thinks we all should just put up with it.
She owes you an apology. You took a risk saying something and I applaud you for it. She's the one who has to deal with it, not you.
Three step solution.
Step 1)Wait till she is fast asleep and starts snoring
Step 2)adjust your feet and accidentally hit her shoes stirring her awake,
Step 3) kindly apologize, once she falls aslep again, and starts snoring, repeat steps 2 and three.
I'm kind of kidding, since I dont know if I could follow through on my own advice,
I am dealing with my own morning annoyance when I miss my regular train and catch the next one.
There is a man who I swear belongs in a field chewing grass since thats what it sounds like when he is sucking on his (finaly found out it's Mentos) candy.
I have never said anything to him and am not sure it annoys others as much as it does me or as much as snuffalupagus annoys your car but it kills me and I go o the other side of the car when I see him coming now.
I'm so angry for you!
Please give us a follow up with this!
Well... it's friggin about time that someone finally speaks up. I'm a regular reader of "crazy train" and many of the stories are about complaints without someone making the effort to do something about it.
"Name withheld"... you're an excellent example of telling people the truth... they might not like it but they should hear how inconvenient their nasty behaviour is to other commuters... maybe tape her snoring on your phone and have her listen... ask her if she's proud of herself. Or better, take a picture of the whole thing and send it to "crazy train", I'm sure she might change her ways...
You must be really proud of yourself for "Standing Your Ground".
e
You go girl (or guy), yeah!
I'll speak up to anyone or anything and people like us who ride public transit have a right to ask that others realize it's not all about you and what you want! Trains are shared spaces.
Film her snoring and put it on Youtube.
Advertise the video in a shout out and run a poll on whether people think that this level of noise is appropriate.
Tape the results of the poll to her forehead while she sleeps.
I like the previous comment lol
I absolutely applaud you mystery man of commuter justice!
That lady deserves to have her snoring recorded and played back to her. What a cranky old woman. How inappropriate to kick someone on top of coming onto the train with a pillow (with a cartoon character, seriously grow up).
I was just going to say the same thing. I agree, grab your phone (most people have a record feature on their phone) and tape her snoring. Upload onto Youtube!!
I like the rest of your suggestion too Anon!!
I'll have you ladies know that I had yet another awkward ride in this morning with this cow who did proceed to tuck herself in for a nap. This time I was at the other end of the coach. There was a couple standing near her who mimed spilling their coffee on her. I could hear her from where I was sitting and I could see the frustrated expressions of the people near here subjected to her snoring. I will record her and email it to CJ. I'll make it a point to sit behind her tomorrow.
You know MysteryMan, it is still not too late to file a complaint against this Cow.
next time report her to the CSA, tell them what happened the day she kicked you and inform them that she is disturbing fellow passengers. I mean if she was blasting her music and disturbing people the CSA would tell her to shut it down. Snoring shouldnt be any different.
@Mystery Man
Yes, please.
Let's embarrass her in the Shout Outs. Wouldnt it be great if she became a youtube sensation?!!
Snoring cow wasn't on the train today! I don't wish ill will on anyone so I can only hope she's taken another train, came down with malaria, or even better: READ THIS WEBSITE and learned a lesson!!!
Damn, that's too bad, she needs to read the ShoutOuts. or you need to slip a copy in her bag! maybe you will see her on the way home.
I think the point here and it seems that all of us agree that its about time we "Stand our Ground" on many issues. Not speaking up when people inconvenience others is enabling a bad behaviour and people continue to abuse others. So the next time someone talks to loudy, puts their feet on the chair, puts all their baggage on the chair next to them, etc. let them know IT'S NOT OKAY! Respect yourself and your environment and these "situations" won't continue.
e (or better known as Edith)
any updates for April.
I am looking forward to the You tube.
I must say that I may be guilty of snoring on the pm ride home on the LSE.
I try to sit up straight so as not to close my airway, but my throat ends up feeling sore and I am mortified that I have been snoring. No one has said anything. It is terribly embarrassing to think this may be happening to me.
Hope no one takes a You tube of me. I am an innocent - although the hubby says I snore like a freight train. It runs in the family.
I mostly ride the bus but "enjoy" many of the same problems as you train riders. I have politely but firmly asked people to turn down their music or end their 45 min, loud phone call. But I am a lone voice in the wilderness. Once I had a woman lean over and quietly say thank you. Please please please, say something OUT LOUD and support those of us brave enough to take on donkey's and turnips. I'll take anything, applause, "praise Jesus" "It's about time". But the awkward silence makes me feel so alone.
(gosh I hope I don't snore on the bus)
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