The Tube: Awkward Encounters

By: Elizabeth

Now I know why comedians are so funny. They must travel the world, or at least get out of their own town and see or experience something different and new. Well, we have seen just about everything, and some things are just plain old funny, others quite shocking.

Awkward Encounter #1:

On Wednesday the 11th, we went to see Billy Elliot. The play ended about 10:30, so we took the Tube back to our flat. We sit down next to each other, and a few stops later this group of about 5 or 6 people in their early 20's get on. Two of them sit down, and they are yapping very loudly. Mind you, most of these people on the tube just want to sleep, not listen to these people until they get off. both of us look in their direction since they were causing such a stir.

Little did we know that the guy was wearing Sunday socks! Hello! It's obviously Wednesday. What makes this more interesting is that BOTH of his socks said 'Sunday,' not just one sock. So Crystal tried to take a picture, but as she tried to, the girl who was VERY drunk, mentioned to the guy that his picture was getting taken. He simply said 'I don't care if anyone takes my photo!' Too bad the picture came out blurry. :(

Anyways, about the girl. About 2 minutes after her tribe got on the Tube, she started hacking, like a hairball was about to fire out of her throat. Nasty! Crystal assured me that all she needed was a little attention and everything would be just fine. But she kept complaining on and on; one moment she wanted water, the next she was perfectly fine. Hm. And yes, she was THAT drunk. But there's more! She suddenly wanted to get off at one point in their short journey. Out of the blue, she loudly exclaimed "I need to get off here now!" Then she started to fan herself as if she were about to pass out. Her buddy said something along the lines of "We don't get off here. We get off after the next stop." Then she freaked out again. The poor lady that was sitting across from me though, she looked so exhausted and this situation made her want to smack the girl. Honestly, could that lady shut up for just 10 seconds?!

Awkward Encounter #2:

The day after we got our Oyster Card renewed, we realized that the lady didn't do it right. You see, our Oyster Card is one that we wanted to last for 1 week, for Zones 1, 2, and 3. Zone one being the center of London, and 3 being where our flat is. The lady only renewed it for Zones 1 and 2, so we went to a ticket/assistance booth where this guy helped us. However, this was one creepy encounter...

We get to the booth, and there is this guy standing off to the side, who looked like he hasn't seen a barber or the dentist in a very long time. Well, he was trying to be helpful, but was not understanding of our situation that we were in. Somehow, he thought that we needed a full refund for the Oyster Cards, then he mentioned many other things, but I didn't listen to any of it. He was coming off very strongly as a creep. He reeked of alcohol and cigarettes, and his voice was very deep, which just didn't suit him whatsoever. So while the guy in the ticket booth was helping us add Zone 3 to our Card, he kept saying things that were clearly irrelevant. We didn't listen at all because we were trying to ignore him, but he would just keep creeping and inching forward. Crystal was wearing a shirt that only covered her shoulders and he touched her arm a couple of times... I just wanted to shout "CREEP! Leave us alone!" But we would have caused a scene just like the lady on the Tube...

Awkward Encounter #3:

Today we were on the Tube, and needed to go from the Southern end of London to Highgate, where the flat is. It would take at least 30 minutes all together, and near the end, I hear this guy shout to an elderly lady "A seat's a seat! Just sit down already!" Apparently, this guy who appeared to be around 50 years old (with a near jet black pony tail) would not give up his seat. He was however sitting in the priority seat for people with disabilities or people who are pregnant. He did not give up his seat. Someone did finally give up their seat without hesitation, and when she sat down she scolded him out, saying "You are very rude." He responded "I can be sometimes." I wanted to smack him. He could have at least apologized to her, but no. Made himself look like a moron in front of everyone aboard the Tube.

You see, you will come across 2 different types of people in London. Those who are very nice and helpful and joke around, then those who do not wish to ever speak to you and are quite rude.