You see some strange things on the subway.
Last night, I was coming home late after going to a meeting of the Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA) Working Women’s Network. (We watched an excellent KBS documentary, Family: Korean Women Rewriting Tradition, which I want to write more about later.)
Anyway, when the train pulled into Apgujeong, a very stylish looking couple was the first in line waiting to board. He wore a dark pin-stripe suit, color-coordinated tie, crisp white shirt, untucked, to give just the right rakish, out-after-work look. She was perfectly attired in a black velvet blazer, pleated black wool skirt and matching pumps. Her long black hair fell to her waist and was immaculate. Her makeup could have been professionally done. They looked to be in their early to mid 20s.
They waited side by side for the doors to open and when they did, you couldn’t help but notice something a little off. His arm was draped over her shoulders in a gentle embrace. They seemed quite relaxed. But the index finger of his right hand, the one attached to the arm over her shoulders, was quite clearly caught between her teeth. They were standing there, together, seemingly nonchalant. But she was biting down on his finger.
As the passengers disembarked, the couple calmly stepped onto the train—still side-by-side—and proceeded to stand right in front of where I was sitting, with the guy still ‘leashed,’ as it were.
After a few seconds, and what I can only interpret as some gentle requests (’OK. Come on . . .OK. Seriously. Let go.’). She relaxed her jaw and released his hand. I swear, I am not making this up.
After freeing his finger, the woman shot a cool sidelong glance at her partner, as if to say, ‘Yeah? Well, remember this next time.’
I can only imagine what led to the finger bite in the first place. Maybe the hand tried to stray someplace it shouldn’t. Maybe he tried to cover her mouth when she laughed or talked on the phone. Whatever it was, I think she established quite an effective deterrent to a recurrence.
He didn’t seem too perturbed and even laughed—in a kind of incredulous, shocked way—after she let go of him. The moment the subway door opened was definitely one of those times when I wished I’d had my camera and didn’t. I had the perfect shot.
So, what’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on the subway?
{ 10 comments }
Sandra 10.24.06 at 3:55 pm
People with cucumber slices stuck on their faces.
I’m used to it now, but the first time I saw it I was flabbergasted.
Jon Allen 10.25.06 at 7:14 am
I try to avoid looking at anyone on the metro, but recently I couldn’t help seeing one young girl squeezing the zits on her boyfriends face, and it wasn’t just one spot either. eeeeuuucccchhh.
Cat 10.25.06 at 10:05 am
Jon,
I think your story wins the prize. That is, I think, one of the grossest things I’ve ever heard.
Maryam in Marrakesh 10.25.06 at 11:48 pm
Ummm…I was once flashed by a 75 year old man in the Paris metro. It was the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen…
Rose Byrd 10.26.06 at 6:28 am
Gee, my experience with the hilarious panhandler on an Atlanta subway opening his raincoat hung with Bling-Bling only to have several pieces start falling apart and scattering pieces under the seats, then the guy offering to sell his OWN Bling-bling for a special discount. It was his fake sincerity and eagerness to be “of service” that really cracked me up!
maryeats 10.26.06 at 10:45 am
I will have to remember that the next time Kev does something I don’t like.
BTW how are those SIWA meetings? I have considered joining many times.
Jon Allen 10.27.06 at 8:40 am
beams with pride.
About SIWA. I met someone recently who said it was open to men as well.
Is that true? is it worth joining?
Cat 10.27.06 at 11:41 pm
:-) About SIWA, I’ve only been to the one meeting, so I will reserve judgment, but I did have a good time. It seemed to be a really interesting and diverse group of people.
I honestly don’t know about whether or not men can join, Jon. If they said it was open to men, then I assume you can. I did not see any men at the meeting, but that’s not to say that anyone would be opposed to it.
Cat 10.27.06 at 11:44 pm
And, Maryam, that senior flasher is definitely horrifying, I would have probably been really freaked about riding the subway if that happened to me.
But, really, it’s so cliche, flashing people on the subway. I still give the gross out award to Jon’s zit poppers for originality.
Wedge 10.31.06 at 3:11 pm
I once saw a clearly drunk ajumma toss copious quantities of chunder into her shoes (she was barefoot for some reason). You never saw a section of a subway car evacuated so fast.
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