The London Underground is lots of things; it’s dirty, a hive of germs, sweaty, overcrowded and no one makes any eye (or any other kind of) contact with anyone. But, every day, when we make our commutes, we expect it. We accept it. It has become something we even fondly refer to. It’s become a London institute, a tradition a part of our day. We know it, we understand it, and we cope with it. It is what it is.
What it is not though, is a beauty salon. Why then, do so many women treat it as such? I can deal with a quick makeup reapplication and, at a stretch, I can even deal with the odd nail painting, although the fumes are sometimes quite overpowering. Lines, however, need to be drawn when a seemingly normal looking woman whips out a Venus Razor and dry shaves her ARMS!
Why anyone shaves their arms in the first place, is a first class mystery, but definitely not the real mystery. The mystery lies in how on earth anyone (normal or ab) could possibly believe that flying, black arm hair is acceptable anywhere outside of the privacy of her own bathroom. Did the woman not have her own bathroom? The man shaking black arm hair off his trouser suit was no doubt pondering just that question.
Luckily, when faced with such disgusting displays of grooming, reassuring British Underground Etiquette kicks immediately into place. We splutter a bit, look down and avoid all eye contact with anyone. We watch the ground, and watch the gathering collection of black hair that litters it.
VERY INTERESTING TO SEE THAT LONDON UNDERGROUND IS AN ARRAY OF FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, WITH PEOPLE EATING AND DRINKING SUPPOSEDLY NOW SOFT DRINKS.
THIS QUESTIONS HOW WE CAN JUSTIFY THE VARIOUS AROMAS FROM DIFFERENT FOOD OUTLETS AND THE REFUSE WHICH THEIR CLIENTAIL LEAVE ON THE TRAINS.
CHICKEN BONES. NICE. GO WELL WITH THE TOMATO KETCHUP ON THE SEAT OR RATHER ON YOUR CLOTHES.
INTERESTED IN READING.?
WELL THERE ARE LOADS OF FREE NEWSPAPERS ON TRAINS IN AMONGST ALL THE REFUSE FROM PEOPLES LEFTOVER FOOD.
IS THIS NOT WHAT FIRE HAZARDS ARE?
BEFORE SOMEONE SAYS LUCKY YOU TO GET A SEAT.
I KNOW ALREADY. I HARDLY EVER GET A SEAT. I STAND NORMALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMEONES MOUTH GULPING FOOD IN FRONT OF ME AND CHATTING ON THEIR TELEPHONES..LOUDLY..
No not all staff are rude, but on 26/09/2010 at 21:50 I had an incident with a member of staff at West Kensington tube station London, with a member of called Graham Thomas. I was topping up my girlfriends bus pass and was in a rush as the bus was comming, he delibratley appeared to be obtusive, maybe because he had nothing to do as the ticket office was closed and he did not seem to have a purpose. HE came out side after we topped-up the pass and became insulting to both me and my gf and refused to give me his name. I wentr back into the station and then asked him to show me his name tag. There seems to be rules against customers being offensive to staff righly but not much reciprication.