So the past week has been interesting. I spent a lovely and not at all stressful afternoon at the hospital last Friday, dealing with Scary Pregnancy Things. The upshot of the ordeal was that both I and bebe were fine, but I was instructed to spend the weekend on “modified bedrest,” which, in case you weren't certain, is incredibly dull. But I shan't dwell; thankfully, I’m now back to my regular routine, and I’ve given my growing fetus a stern talking-to.
And speaking of which, one of the benefits of finally starting to look obviously pregnant is that occasionally, people will offer you their seats on the subway. I say occasionally, because I ride the train during the morning rush hour, when more often than not, young, douchebag businessmen will elbow you in the kidney/beat you about the head and face with their Louis Vuitton briefcases (OF COURSE that’s the bag they have) to get to the elusive empty seat. And then, even if they notice your belly, they will not get up, but rather, look with abnormal interest at their newspaper/subway advertisements for shady podiatrists/iPods-- ANYTHING to avoid the sight of your pregnant belly (and with it, the feeling like they should perhaps get up and offer you the seat). I see this every day, people. You could be ACTIVELY BIRTHING A CHILD ON THE TRAIN, and they’d just stare intently at the ad for Dr. Zizmore’s miracle chemical peel (now, with more fruit acids!).
All of this to say that there are a few kind souls who--when they see a visibly pregnant lady dragging ass out there--will offer up their seats. One such woman was on my train the other day. I was standing there in heels and suit, when she looked up from her book and smiled at me. She then offered me her seat, and told me that I should thank “my man” because she could “just tell that [I was] well cared for, by [my] grooming.” (Like a purebred dog, or something? I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS. HELP ME.) My alarm bells were going off, but she gestured to her seat once again. It was only then that I noticed she was wearing mismatched bedroom slippers, one of which said “Life is Good!” under a picture of an embroidered, smiling daisy.
(The other slipper, in case you were wondering, was blue plush, and sort of nondescript.)
(Well, I guess as nondescript as a slipper on a subway can be.)
I weighed my options...and decided to take the seat. And in so doing, officially became the type of person who knowingly takes seats from crazy people. What have I become?! I am not proud.
I’ve spent the past few days distracting myself from thinking about this by devouring the delicious Canadian chocolate the lovely Angella sent me (Aero chocolate bar! Where have you been all my life?) and catching up on my new favorite obsession, How I Met Your Mother.
Did you people know that this show is HILARIOUS? And if so, why didn’t you tell me?
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27 comments:
Manners seem to be a thing of the past, sadly but we can always count on the crazies! ;)
YOU WERE AT THE HOSPITAL ON FRIDAY???? WITH MY KAWIKA??
I know that everything is ok since I have spoken to you since Friday but still I worry. Ugh.
Ok, I have many comments.
When I was pregnant with twins- just a few short months ago- NO ONE got up for me, let alone men (I too commute via the nyc subway at rush hour). People were HORRIBLE!!!!!!!
One day as the train doors opened, and I was walking toward an empty seat (ok, wobbled), a man pretty much elbowed me to get the seat. I looked at him and said "Are you kidding me?", and you know what he did?
He was wearing a baseball cap- he looked up at me realizing I was pregnant, gave me a smurck, and tipped his cap down so that he couldnt see me!!!!!
I was in shock. People are assholes. Esp New Yorkers (I can say that, I am one).
This morning, while I got on a crowded train, I realized that there was a pg woman standing next to me. People saw her and no one got up. I asked her if people ever get up for her, and she said no. Somebody did eventually give the seat up for her, but I guess this is something that happens a lot!
BTW- So glad everything is ok with the little one (Im feeling its a girl).
Happy Passover!
* I totally love your blog. I can relate to just about everything.
People are assholes and i hope you're feeling better.
But I need to share in your love of How I Met Your Mother. It's been on for 3 seasons and i finally started watching it about 3 weeks ago. I'm all caught up now and I LOVE THAT SHOW. How great is it? How did we not know? What the hell? Anyway, lovelovelove.
I would say that 99% of the time, when I see someone give up their seat on the subway for a pregnant woman? The giver is also a woman. It makes me ILL. WTF, men of New York? Seriously, W? T? F?
Am also v. concerned about the hospital visit, but it sounds like you're ok. Take care of yourself and le bebe!
I thought you knew about How I Met Your Mother. I have watched it from the beginning and it is one of my favorite shows. Oh and by the way, you should also be watching Medium, Criminal Minds, and Boston Legal. Love them all! Especially Boston Legal if you like a laugh.
I find it gets even worse when you are struggling with a stroller and diaper bags. That's when people not only DON'T hold doors/give up seats/etc, but they also give you some awful dirty looks.
I guess these jerk-wads figure they didn't knock you up, so why should they suffer. Nice. I wonder what their mothers would say if they knew how rude they are.
Whoaaa, SO glad you and the babe are ok!! And the T in Boston is the saaaame as in NYC, minus the slipper lady (maybe). :-)
As for HIMYM...PLEASE watch Slapsgiving asap. But you have to watch the Slap Bet first. This show is so hilarious, SO so funny.
i never, ever had one person give up a seat for me. and i was pregnant 3 times.
but once, at my OB, i was 34 weeks pregnant and some woman said to me, "would you mind giving your seat to my daughter....she's pregnant"
um, okay...as opposed to what i was?????
I am glad you are OK! Hospitals scare me :(
I cannot believe people don't give up seats for you. Jerks.
If I come to NY, I'm staying clear of the idiots (and crazies) on the subway.
Yeeks! I'm glad you and small one are fine.
I was on the bus last week and saw many, many seated people ignore the rickety old lady who was catapulting around the pole as she tried to hold on. COME ON, PEOPLE.
You need to check out Barnie's blog on the CBS sight. Funniest character on TV.
I hate to say it, but American chocolate sucks. Oh, don't get me wrong. If they ever outlawed it, I'd be the first one on the street trying to score a dimebag of M&M's, but European chocolate pretty much has it nailed(I'm including Canada in Europe. They use a lot of the same recipes.) I went to the Lindt Chocolate museum in Germany. I seriously considered moving, it was that good.
How I Met Your Mother is so funny - it's one of the few shows I won't miss. Have you watched The New Adventures of Old Christine? That one has some hilarious moments too.
Glad you and the bebe are alright...I love that at least the crazies give up their seat for you. I have a soft spot in my heart for my local crazies and homeless.
My favorite is a lady who comes out in the summer who sweeps up and down Market Street in her green sports bra and a pair of jeans. It's getting warmer, I'm sure she'll be out soon.
I love that show. Sorry I didn't tell you. :-)
Glad you and the bebe are both well.
YES! 90% it is women who open doors for pregnant ladies or stroller jugglers.
What's up with the guys?
So now, do you owe a crazy person a favor, a la "pay it forward?"
I say set up a fashion advice booth for the mentally unstable.
I think you caught the crazy woman in a rare moment of near-lucidity. She remembered her manners and generosity through whatever haze was clouding her reality. Good luck with baby!
Happy Passover Metalia family!
So sorry to hear that you were in the hospital but sounds like all is well.
Subways in Toronto during rush hour are super crowded too - and also well populated with passive aggressive "I will just stare at my lap" types.
Mismatched slippers on the subway make me laugh. Actually almost everything on the subway makes me laugh. Except for when it grosses me out.
How I Met Your Mother is one of my favorites! I have admittedly been in a bit of girl love with Alyson Hannigan ever since Buffy.
I am glad that you and the baby are OK!!
And OMG, How I Met Your Mother is effing hilarious. I have been watching it ever since the beginning and have been known to guffaw loudly. Since you are new to the show, you NEED to find the episode where Robin refuses to go to the mall. You NEED to. We DVR'ed it a long time ago when it aired (1 or 2 seasons ago) and have kept it EVER SINCE. I think tears actually came out of my eyes I was laughing so hard.
This has been a public service announcement.
Metalia - I have an "Ask a Jew" question...our neighbors across the culdesac are Jewish, and over the weekend, the neighbor kiddos were all playing and asked for a snack...our neighbor friend said that she couldn't have "anything that rises", with it being Passover. Just curoius why she couldn't have anything that rises...My daughter asked me, and I told her I wasn't sure, but that I knew of someone who would DEFINITELY know :o) Thanks!
Michelle
Also, that just rots that the guy on the subway didn't give you a seat. Jerk. I will say though, that not all New Yorkers are bad...when I visited in '04, I hopped on a bus, and didn't have the tokens or correct change at the time, (Guess in my mind I was going to hand him a 5 and get some change?)...and this gal said to the driver, "It's okay, I got it..." and she made room for me to sit down...pretty nice in my estimation. Whatevs :o)
Come on over to Chicago! I was offered a seat all but one time and I used to commute via the El (our subway) everyday. Maybe its that we have some nice people, but my guess is they saw the look on my face and dared not mess with me.
Thank goodness all is well with you and the baby!
Glad all is well with you and bebe. Don't scare us anymore.
My husband and I were just talking about this the other day. He was wondering what the "official rules" were to giving up your seat. I told him it's safe to just always give it up. It's what I do.
(Also, I was so shocked to find that nobody offered me their seat when I was pregnant. The world, it is full of douche bags.)
Oh, and by the way, How I Met Your Mother rocks my world.
Recently started watching How I Met Your Mother as well - pretty much any time NPH is involved I want to know about it.
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