Being Rude

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 15 Apr 2006, 18:30

How do other people deal with trying not to be rude? Maybe I was too well brought up (

) but I find it really hard to be rude to somebody who, in effect, is actually being rude to me. Yesterday I was looking forward to my bus journey back from Glasgow - alone. However the only available seat was next to an elderly man. From the minute I sat down he bombarded me with useless info. I know how much his CDs cost, I know exactly what he bought in M&S (coz he showed me the receipt!), I know that raspberry ruffles make you fat, I know that he has a bus pass from the Council but he has to book to go to Aberdeen (50p booking fee) but he's not sure if he can get to Berwick on Tweed although he can get to North Berwick. Bananas are good for constipation but it can be a problem getting rid of the skins, it's such a waste putting them in the bucket but they're not really good for carrying about in your pocket......and on and on and on and on. Even when I pretended to be sleeping he tapped me on the shoulder to tell me that we should be home in time for Coronation Street

. I was getting so agitated about trying not to smack him in the face that I got off the bus - at Corstorphine

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 15 Apr 2006, 20:06

I would have said "Oi rude boy wheest I'm going to catch some Z's".

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 15 Apr 2006, 22:12

Epykat wrote:How do other people deal with trying not to be rude? Maybe I was too well brought up ( ) but I find it really hard to be rude to somebody who, in effect, is actually being rude to me. Yesterday I was looking forward to my bus journey back from Glasgow - alone. However the only available seat was next to an elderly man. From the minute I sat down he bombarded me with useless info. I know how much his CDs cost, I know exactly what he bought in M&S (coz he showed me the receipt!), I know that raspberry ruffles make you fat, I know that he has a bus pass from the Council but he has to book to go to Aberdeen (50p booking fee) but he's not sure if he can get to Berwick on Tweed although he can get to North Berwick. Bananas are good for constipation but it can be a problem getting rid of the skins, it's such a waste putting them in the bucket but they're not really good for carrying about in your pocket......and on and on and on and on. Even when I pretended to be sleeping he tapped me on the shoulder to tell me that we should be home in time for Coronation Street . I was getting so agitated about trying not to smack him in the face that I got off the bus - at Corstorphine

Difficult one...You could have tried boring him back with the PHS debate

Next time go by train.. then at least you can go for a wander

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 15 Apr 2006, 22:21

Pretend that you are just learning English and so don't understand what he is saying?

I used this tactic successfully with a slavering wreck on an Edinburgh-Glasgow train prior to a Scotland v Lithuania game a few years ago. Pretended I was a Lithuanian who had bought a kilt in Edinburgh but my English was very poor. After my attempts to communicate with him in Lithuanian he soon shut up and fell asleep..

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Apr 2006, 14:05

Robin! wrote:I would have said "Oi rude boy wheest I'm going to catch some Z's".

But that's the problem - would you really have said that if put in that position - bet you wouldn't, you're too polite

promqueen · Post by **promqueen** » 16 Apr 2006, 20:53

It's awkward when someone does something like this, but if they're not drunk or threatening, probably the best action is just to listen. From what you've said, Epykat, the old boy was probably just lonely and pouncing on a chance to speak to somebody - although you were a captive audience and longing to be anywhere else, think of what a crap time he must be having in life if he has to pour out all these details to a complete stranger!A wee bit of compassion can go a long way, and at least you picked up some handy banana hints..!

That being said, I used to hate it if someone I KNEW got on the bus and sat beside me as I headed to work first thing in the morning ,then wanted to chat.. Who wants a blether at 8.15? Bah, Humbug etc...

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 16 Apr 2006, 21:01

Epykat wrote:But that's the problem - would you really have said that if put in that position - bet you wouldn't, you're too polite

The strange thing is our capacity to be unutterably rude to those we love and yet we can't say "naff off" to an annoying stranger...human nature is odd

...

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 16 Apr 2006, 21:40

foxy wrote:
Epykat wrote:But that's the problem - would you really have said that if put in that position - bet you wouldn't, you're too polite
The strange thing is our capacity to be unutterably rude to those we love and yet we can't say "naff off" to an annoying stranger...human nature is odd ...

Too true

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Apr 2006, 22:35

promqueen wrote:the old boy was probably just lonely and pouncing on a chance to speak to somebody - although you were a captive audience and longing to be anywhere else, think of what a crap time he must be having in life if he has to pour out all these details to a complete stranger!A wee bit of compassion can go a long way, and at least you picked up some handy banana hints..!

Oh yes! For the first 45 minutes I tried very hard to be compassionate. Then I came to the conclusion that he wasn't having a crap time - he actually was having a great time

. It was me who was having the crap time

. The thing with some elderly people is that sometimes they like to play the sad old codger card and actually totally forget any manners! At one point I thought he was going to take his mask off and reveal that he was actually Jeremy Beadle

promqueen · Post by **promqueen** » 17 Apr 2006, 08:57

Oh God ! I'd rather listen to a hundred old codgers than have to put up with Jeremy Beadle for the journey !!

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 17 Apr 2006, 18:11

Epykat wrote:
Robin! wrote:I would have said "Oi rude boy wheest I'm going to catch some Z's".
But that's the problem - would you really have said that if put in that position - bet you wouldn't, you're too polite

Nah ok your right, not at first I would have played the disinterested card and see if that worked.. Then I would have pretended to nod off. saying that tapped you on the shoulder, lol.

Was there no spare seats?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 17 Apr 2006, 18:21

It was obviously that 'raunchiness' of yours getting you in trouble again Epykat!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 17 Apr 2006, 18:28

Marya wrote:It was obviously that 'raunchiness' of yours getting you in trouble again Epykat!

I would have understood it if I'd been wearing 'the boots'

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 17 Apr 2006, 20:58

Epykat wrote:
Marya wrote:It was obviously that 'raunchiness' of yours getting you in trouble again Epykat!
I would have understood it if I'd been wearing 'the boots'

Zargonian · Post by **Zargonian** » 20 Apr 2006, 15:59

I think the best way to deal with these type of situ's is to cough heavily, wheeze a fair bit, scratch at your skin (just pretend), twitch feverishly, then have slight drool when facing him.

Then the person would either:

Think your related - and it's gonna get worse, so get off the bus.
Think your mad - and it's gonna get worse, cos he is mad too get off the bus.

Think you've got yellow monkey fever - and he get's off the bus.

It's a great trick when in the queues at Greiggs on a Saturday afternoon!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 20 Apr 2006, 17:47

Zargonian wrote:I think the best way to deal with these type of situ's is to cough heavily, wheeze a fair bit, scratch at your skin (just pretend), twitch feverishly, then have slight drool when facing him.

You've obviously been drinking in the Forester's far too long......

Zargonian · Post by **Zargonian** » 20 Apr 2006, 17:52

Epykat wrote:
Zargonian wrote:I think the best way to deal with these type of situ's is to cough heavily, wheeze a fair bit, scratch at your skin (just pretend), twitch feverishly, then have slight drool when facing him.
You've obviously been drinking in the Forester's far too long......

Aye it's best to keep on practicing my "anti-weirdo" tactics.
Specially in the Forries

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 20 Apr 2006, 19:09

Zargonian wrote:I think the best way to deal with these type of situ's is to cough heavily, wheeze a fair bit, scratch at your skin (just pretend), twitch feverishly, then have slight drool when facing him.

It's a great trick when in the queues at Greiggs on a Saturday afternoon!

I think I know who you are now.

Zargonian · Post by **Zargonian** » 21 Apr 2006, 09:14

ecm wrote:
Zargonian wrote:I think the best way to deal with these type of situ's is to cough heavily, wheeze a fair bit, scratch at your skin (just pretend), twitch feverishly, then have slight drool when facing him.

It's a great trick when in the queues at Greiggs on a Saturday afternoon!
I think I know who you are now.

And whom might I be?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 21 Apr 2006, 09:56

Zargonian wrote:
ecm wrote:
Zargonian wrote:I think the best way to deal with these type of situ's is to cough heavily, wheeze a fair bit, scratch at your skin (just pretend), twitch feverishly, then have slight drool when facing him.

It's a great trick when in the queues at Greiggs on a Saturday afternoon!
I think I know who you are now.
And whom might I be?

I spend a considerable amount of time standing in line at Greggs on a Saturday. Your description of the coughing, wheezing, twitching, drooling trick reminded me of someone.

No, wait a minute, maybe I was thinking of Ali all along.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

sunnyporty · Post by **sunnyporty** » 21 Apr 2006, 17:10

At least he was'nt a child

I know how much you love thm

if he had been I bet you would have got off just outside Glasgow and WALKED back to edinburgh

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 21 Apr 2006, 20:34

Actually there was one of those too, diagonally opposite, being a pain with a packet of crisps. But he paled into insignificance..........

sunnyporty · Post by **sunnyporty** » 21 Apr 2006, 20:59

Well that only leaves the middle aged people ho do you get on with them?? or are you only pretending to like me

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

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