Lesson #13- Don't get too close

For the most part, the subway is a pretty loud place, especially when the windows have been cracked open on the trains. Trying to have a mind stimulating conversation is rather difficult seeing as how it is hard to hear over all the rattling and screeching that comes from the trains. This presents a dilemma - do you just keep quiet and have the conversation once you have gotten off the train or do you get into a shouting match? Personally, I would wait. I guess the guy I was traveling with the other night chose a third option. 

Leaning a mere couple of inches away from my face, he proceeded to scream his end of the conversation right in my face. I couldn't look away, because eye contact is an important part of having one, but at the same time, I was on the receiving end of a spit shower and I was not very happy about that. What to do? What to do? Pretend you still cannot hear and instead of being face to face, turn ear to face. That is exactly what I did. Making my best I-can't-hear-you face, I tilted my chin towards him, exposing the side of my face. That way I wouldn't have to taste his breath on my face and I would hear everything he had to say. The problem is that now I was expected to reciprocate, which would mean I had to end up face to face again. I didn't want him to get the spit shower treatment in return. 

The problem was that he didn't seem as uncomfortable as I was. In fact, he was happy to have this "close encounter." Well, I wasn't. So, I tried a number of things. First, I tried talking at him with my face pointing down as much as possible without breaking eye contact. When that wasn't working, I tried to talk towards the direction of his ear, hoping that he would get the hint and turn his face, exposing it. Nope! That didn't work either. Oh my God!!! Come on! I had one more stop until it was time to get off. So I improvised. I started buttoning my coat, gathering my things - anything but having to utter another word. Then with a quick "This is my stop. See ya." I jumped up and made for the door. Thank God that was over. Remind me never to sit next to someone who wants to chat. 

So there you have lesson #13. Simply put, don't get too close when having a conversation or you might send the other jolting for the exit.