Jul 23, 2016

17 Communication - Speaking without words, a conversation on a crowded bus

Coming from a Caribbean culture where the eyes and facial expressions in communication is just a potent as words and hand gestures’ I find myself in an unexpected situation that required I access those very innate practices.

On the last leg of my journeyed commute to work

I sat in the crowded bus to work doing some entertainment reading "Never Love A Lawman" by Jo Goodman. When the automated system announced the third to last stop to my destination and then stopped to pick up passengers. I closed my tablet, put it in my bag and sat back till my stop.

Passengers boarded the bus amongst them was a young man in his late 20s to early 30s who stood at first off to the side of me. I will call him Mr. No Words. I smelt him before I saw him. People shuffled around making room for more passengers and Mr. No Words ended up directly in front of me. I looked up briefly, one because the scent seemed closer and two to acquaint myself to those around me. Mr. No Words looked like he smelt, as if he’d rolled out of bed after not showering the night before and left the house without changing or showering. His camouflage three quarter shorts and stained white T-shirt were wrinkled and he had crust in his eyes and bridle drool on the left corner of his mouth. He looked straight ahead. The bus was packed. I quickly scanned the crowd around me mentally assessing the best exit plan for when I reached my stop. I surmised since I was closest to the front door I would exit there. I gauged roughly how much people I'd have to weave myself through and sat back patiently.

As I sat mentally organizing my work day I suddenly felt it, a slight pressure on my left knee. I registered it but dismissed it as the bus made a jerky stop start. Then, I felt it again, only the pressure was more significant and the bus was driving smoothly. I became a bit uncomfortable and thought, 'is he deliberately pushing on my knee?' I advised myself to pay attention and if it is indeed what I suspected then I would deal with it. No sooner had I finish the thought when I felt even more pressure pushing on my left knee tenfold, then a pull back and a hard push again and again. The bus was at a traffic light not moving. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I set my face and deliberately looked while slowly casing his whole body noting his budding erection. I met his eyes and lustful leer fiercely with what my daughters call "The Dead Face" and "Do Not Fuck with me eyes." Mr. No Words backed off and back down immediately. I rang the bell for my stop. I looked up at him again dead face and got up from my seat. He moved back and to the far side where he first stood ensuring our bodies would not touch, so much so that he was squeezing himself. I laughed inwardly but kept a serious outer demeanor as I maneuvered my way through the crowd and out the bus. I did not look back.

SERIOUSLY

I hate dealing with that shit.

Chuck it up to another day in the life of a city commuter.

Author: D.S.B.S.Rhapsody©All rights reserved.

17 comments:

  1. Yes riding a city bus can be a creepy experience.

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  2. Wow what a pig, men seem to think they can dress and act like however they want and expect us to swoon at their feet... never underestimate a look a women can put out... I have given that same eye too... I am glad he got the picture xox

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I was hoping it would work due to the eye is the mirror thing. I made sure I was clearly understood.

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  3. what an awful experience! Glad you were able to look after yourself!

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    1. I was decidedly uncomfortable, glad I have the learnings of traditions to apply.

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  4. Wow. This is so disgusting. I've heard things like this happen. Sorry about your experience.

    My Gambia Travel Experience (2): Traveller turned Beggar

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    Replies
    1. Yes well w/public transportation you get all kinds in varying levels

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  5. Ghastly. But well told. I was there with you. :-(

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  6. Hello, very harrowing experience. However, such things do happen in crowded city buses. Many times I have seen women screaming at misbehaving men. In extreme cases women slap men too. To prevent such things happening we have separate seats for women and men. Still some men misbehave. You handled the situation wonderfully.

    Best wishes

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    Replies
    1. Thank you.
      Separate seats for men and women, why I have never heard of such a thing, thank you for sharing.

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  7. That would have been so creepy. I wonder how i'd have handled that. Disgusting guy

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    Replies
    1. Gurl you would do just fine cause if the look didn't work you would have gotten loud and embarrassed his ass.

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  8. By the way, you need to teach me your "dead face"

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  9. Going to school in India all girls mastered the art of "accidentally losing balance" when the bus braked and jabbing the perpetrater with either a good elbow jab below sternum, grinding the heel on his foot or even the accidental lifting knee to give a jab in the crotch.

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