Sometimes you cannot win

[2nyRiggz]

Deepdale...that was nice of you but you know where you are...NYC...people don't even look at you(it's gotten better) I did the same thing once before but the lady was cool and thanked me....but i do live uptown and people are more friendly there.....nice try though.

You can't win all the time like you said....


Bless

 

[Deepdale]

NYC...people don't even look at you (it's gotten better) I did the same thing once before but the lady was cool and thanked me ... but i do live uptown and people are more friendly there...

While riding mass transit in NYC, it is usually best to avoid eye contact. I try to keep myself occupied with newspapers and magazines. The woman you referred to was from uptown ... it's always about location, right?

 

[zap2]

you said it was nice, so perhaps people talk about it, and she was sick of it. And you were the breaking point,

Still not a good reason to yell at you, but it might help explain why.


Or she was a jackass

 

[achie25]

I knew that burning question would come up. Simple answer ... yes, yes, yes! It was an early morning delight (powder or no powder). When men are asked whether they are boob, leg or ass men, my personal bottom line puts me into the latter category.

As to whether or not it was really baby powder, I can only give the benefit of the doubt and assume something innocent.

I like all of the above. Preferrably women who have all of those!

 

[Deepdale]

Update to story

I was running behind my usual schedule yesterday and waiting for the next train when something interesting happened. My magazine reading was interrupted when a woman stood about five feet to my left and said, "Hi, you are the man who told me about powder showing on my black pants last week. I am pleased to see you this morning because I have felt badly about how I reacted at that time."

She briefly explained how she was still upset about some comments directed at her while walking past a construction site the day before. She added: "You did everything right, I did everything wrong. I apologize for being rude and hope you can understand my reaction to your comments."

I told her that some people find it very difficult to do what she just did, but that I am understanding and accept her apology. We chatted for a few minutes and then I said, "Sometimes it pays to be late. It is good we saw each other today, and a friendly conversation is always better than being brushed off."

She smiled and laughed and as the train was entering the station, turned around and said, "One final check."

"All tests passed. You are good to go."

Once seated, she reached into her purse for her iPod and began to enjoy her music as she began reading. It was a refreshing start to the day.

 

[scem0]

I'd be flattered if someone was checking out my ass .

Each to their own I guess.

e

 

[zelmo]

An excellent, umm, end[/e] to the story. Good for her.

But what was she playing on her iPod?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Just a few weeks ago I sat across from a kid at the bus. He had a backpack with all his school equipment and that was wide open. Lots of people saw it but no one said anything. I had my iPod playing and didn't really feel like talking, so I just leaned over and closed it... Got a bit of an embarrassed smile from everybody, but who cares? As long as I'm trying to do the right thing, I don't really care how others react... The kid didn't seem to mind, just peaked in to see that nothing was missing and then looked very happy...

Also had another funny incident some years ago, where a mother and (small) child were walking in front of me. The little girl held a helium balloon in her hand, and like kids do it slipped away from her. They stopped, but while the mother started comforting/lecturing the kid for loosing the balloon, I, in one motion, without breaking my stride, reached up, snatched the very end of the balloon string and gave it to the girl and walked on. Her mother so baffled that she just stopped speaking...

Good deeds are fun. Glad to hear it worked out for the best, Deepdale...

 

[UKnjb]

What a result!!! Everybody's a winner on this one (apart from you feeling bad about the initial experience). Good for her to feel bad as well and take the initiative to clear things up when she had the opportunity. And just maybe the knock-on effects will ripple on and through and everybody will be that much better. Well done you and on the next incident.

 

[Applespider]

Ah.... doesn't that you feel better about the world! Glad to hear that you got some appreciation in the end.

As for a 'can't win' story - here goes...

I was at a station and walking up a flight of stairs to the platform - there must have been about 50.

I got about a third of the way up when I heard a woman calling her child. I looked back and this woman was trying to get a buggy with toddler plus an older toddler up the stairs. I went back down and offered to help her up... she told me to 'f*** off'

 

[iGav]

She's obviously a lurker, has read this thread and is embarrassed about everyone thinking that she's a cow.

 

[iGav]

I went back down and offered to help her up... she told me to 'f*** off'

And I hope that our favourite 'spider gave her a Glaswegian kiss in kind response.

 

[evoluzione]

haha, nice one, and i hope you got her number! you had such a perfect opportunity!


NYC is a weird place like that. i can't recall the number of times i've helped a mother up or down the stairs (and there's lots of them, mothers and stairs) with her buggy, and i'd say just over half the time they're very appreciative. it amazes me however that more people don't help but that's NYC for ya.

one i do remember though, i helped this physicaly handicapped little girl (and her mother?) up the stairs (she was in a specially designed buggy/chair thing) and the little girl gave me the most wonderful smile and said "thank you very much" to me. she just looked so grateful and happy that someone had actually stopped to help, and i still remember it 3 or so years on.


back on topic, Deepdale, keep on keeping on dude... and try being late a little more often

 

[floriflee]

I'm glad that in the end, at least, things turned out well. That was very brave of her to admit that she was wrong and apologize for it. I guess that just goes to show we can't always judge based on one small little experience since we never know where it's coming from. I can think of a few times where I wish I could redo my reaction to someone else's action.

Kudos to you both!

 

[2nyRiggz]

I love to help people. I live in NYC where people would walk over you(Don' deny it) but my heart gets mushy when someone is in need of help...always helping people up the subway steps.

One time this lady was lost and i was late for school. She didn't know where to go and i walked her 10blocks up to where she needed to be....i was late but i felt good about it...i always do.


Bless

 

[UKnjb]

Ah.... doesn't that you feel better about the world! Glad to hear that you got some appreciation in the end.

As for a 'can't win' story - here goes...

I was at a station and walking up a flight of stairs to the platform - there must have been about 50.

I got about a third of the way up when I heard a woman calling her child. I looked back and this woman was trying to get a buggy with toddler plus an older toddler up the stairs. I went back down and offered to help her up... she told me to 'f*** off'

Bad bad bad! But, given that she was obviously not the appreciative type, she didn't waste your time or listening abilities by yabbing on a load of invective at you. It was pretty well all over in those two short words. Sometimes us Brits get right to the heart of the matter and --- there's an end to it, not so? Unlike me blethering on here ----- zzzzzz. Sorry that you had that experience though. You won't stop trying to help, will you?

 

[Applespider]

You won't stop trying to help, will you?

Nope... despite being in London for nearly 10 years, that helpfulness streak still tends to come to the front. Going through Victoria station each night, I've helped several buggies up stairs. I've even helped old ladies with large suitcases occasionally - although being a 5'3" girlie, I prefer to shame the blokes into helping with those...

 

[emaja]

I was running behind my usual schedule yesterday and waiting for the next train when something interesting happened. <snip>

...It was a refreshing start to the day.

That is incredible!

The number of coincidences that were needed to run into the same random stranger in NYC is staggering - and to think that she actually had the heart to apologize is even better - and by doing so perhaps she took a step to restore our faith in humanity.

 

[evoluzione]

That is incredible!

The number of coincidences that were needed to run into the same random stranger in NYC is staggering

not really, most people tend to stand in the same area they usually stand in when waiting for the subway, you get to know faces and schedules easily enough.

 

[emaja]

not really, most people tend to stand in the same area they usually stand in when waiting for the subway, you get to know faces and schedules easily enough.

But for both of them to be running late by the same amount of time makes it more complicated than just getting your regular train and seeing the same people.

 

[Deepdale]

... most people tend to stand in the same area they usually stand in when waiting for the subway, you get to know faces and schedules easily enough.

I agree that routines can be fairly predictable. I know I was late, but that may have been her regular time and the prior week she may have been early, which is what led to the encounter. BTW, I did not get her number. She is definitely attractive, but too young (and a nice ring on her finger suggested other involvement).

As for some other recent posts made in this thread:

But what was she playing on her iPod?

No idea, but she appeared to be a contented listener.

I appreciate good thoughts shared by Mitthrawnuruodo, UKnjb, 2nyRiggz and floriflee. For Applespider and others who offer helping hands, it is disappointing to be dealt an offensive reply, but some of those have to be expected in this world of ours. I know I am the type of person who can alter my future actions based on those incidents, but I try to move past it quickly and not let it sour an otherwise good attitude.