Today I had an interesting experience. It was one of those experiences where you wish that you were the kind of person who has no problem setting someone straight when they do something wrong/disgusting/irresponsible/annoying... especially when they are, what I like to call, the French Hoodlums of Metz.After going to the Intersport to purchase my new picnic set (so exciting!!) I got on the 11 bus line heading back downtown. Because I had a decent sized shopping bag with me and because I wanted to 
read during my 30 minute ride, I went all the way to the back of the two-length bus to sit in peace. I sat, got my book, and started reading.
read during my 30 minute ride, I went all the way to the back of the two-length bus to sit in peace. I sat, got my book, and started reading.A few stops later the bus began to fill and a girl walked towards me. So, I moved over a little closer to my bag so that she could have some extra room. She sat down, followed by a guy-friend and they started talking...a lot louder than most French people (they are usually pretty soft spoken...but again I remind you...hoodlums).
Then they started wrapping up, what I thought was a cigarette. They do this all the time...homemade cigarettes. And they have to hurry because as soon as they get off the bus the MUST smoke, or they'll die. Anyway... she made hers and then pulled out a lighter... Then the guy gave her a hard time about something and she stood up and cracked a window (it's still below freezing here...not cool). Then she started flicking the lighter... so I looked up, saw she was about to light her "cigarette" and gave her this look that meant "Don't do it...you can't smoke on the bus...plus I don't want you to smoke right next to me..." Then, she looked directly at me, put the "cigarette" in her mouth and lit it (while still looking at me). SO, she was basically saying: "Ha! Try and stop me!" At this point I had to control my strangling reflex. Then she leaned over and spit on the floor...YES, spit! inside the bus!!
So, I took my bags, and got up and went to the front of the bus. At this point I'm sure she thought I was going to go talk to the driver. I hope she was nervous. I should have talked to him. So, my advice, when riding a bus in Metz, especially if you are going through the Borny area: Ride in the front of the bus, with the nice old ladies.
3 comments:
Well yeah, when you moved there it stopped being about beautiful women and fancy clothes...
Man, sounds like you almost got beat. I'm sure if you had said something, they would not have thought twice about following you home or doing something to you.
Did you have the dog with you? Are dogs allowed on the buses??
No, no Duncan, and yes he's allowed on the bus. He usually growls at people that smell like alcohol and smoke, so maybe he could've helped me out.
i'm still jealous of where you live... you should've spit right back at her... no, j/k. I think you did the right thing.
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