On my way home; Confessions of My People Watching: Amtrak- New Jersey - Boston ( A do - gooder version )

On my way home; Confessions of My People Watching: Amtrak- New Jersey - Boston ( A do - gooder version )

I've just stepped onto the train; I'm managing my bags and fighting off tears all at once. It's never easy saying goodbye to my love for more than a week. As I take my seat the woman in the row next to me says " Aww how adorable your young love is, you can see just how in love with that boy you are. " I lose it, I start crying. She of course feels terrible and I explain I won't be seeing him for a little while, and I hate leaving him. Then she said "You should be so lucky to find such a great love. " I asked how she could tell and she fired back with "This is going to sound crazy but I can see it in your spirit and ora"

Yep she's right it did sound crazy ha-ha, but anyone who can see how much I love that man is okay in my book :)

I was looking out the window as the train was going over a bridge and I saw a Momma Goose and her babies! They were so cute swimming together!

There are two little girls in front of me I'd guess 8 and 10 their parents are sitting across from them. They are bickering and the youngest is saying "Keep it up and you aren't getting any of the purple skittles" I started laughing, I couldn't help myself. I wanted to say " Ohhh no not the purple ones!!! "

The man I am about to describe now is going to sound like he came from my imagination but I kid you not. He is tall maybe 6'3 and he is wearing a long snake skin jacket. I'm not sure if its real snake skin but it looks like it. He's also wearing one of those camouflage hunting hats, the ones that have branches and leaves not just the blobs of green. He either loves nature or wants to blend in or he's one of those people I don't wish to associate myself with that hunt and wear animals.

We're now at Penn station New York many people should be piling in now. Ohhh boy I can see this load of people waiting on the platform and it looks like Christmas came early for me and my fingers are going to be flying as I type these people out.

Everyone on the train is grabbing their bags from the overhead and I was getting up to help this older man with his bag. The bad was clearly oversized and possibly heavy , I decided to get up because I notices the perfectly healthy looking 35 year old man getting off beside him didn't even think twice to help this older man. He clearly saw the older man struggling, proceeded around him to get his own bag and got off. That really rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't have to get up because a younger guy about 20 or so got it for him.

I don't know if it's me but I think I go out of my way to help others. If you see that someone needs help why wait for them to ask for it? Is it so hard and burdening to offer help? For example the other day in the subway I noticed the people behind me were tourists and didn't speak good English and clearly looked confused, I turned around when my turn came and offered help. They looked so relieved that I showed them how to punch out their cards. Seeing their relief and pleased attitudes made me feel good. So people offer help, do something nice for a stranger maybe you will benefit too.

People are definitely looking at me like I have 3 heads. It's my own fault; I got carried away with the upbeat song I was listening to on my headphones and started bobbing my head and swaying a bit. Sometimes when I'm in the writing and music zone all at once it's like I'm in my own world. That or I get so caught up in people watching I forget they can see me too.

"I PITY THE FOOL!" Did Mr. T just walk past me? This man certainly had all the chains on that Mr. T wears. Gold, heavy, thick chains, his hair is also long. Oh no wait that's not Mr. T, Mr. T isn't a white guy in sweat pants; he did however have a jean jacket on.

FYI I'm not criticizing these peoples sense of style, I like observing how different people represent themselves through style. Sometimes their very unique ways of style make me chuckle that's all.

There's a girl about my age stepping on and she is in tears too, I picture her leaving her boyfriend behind also. I know there are many other reasons people cry when leaving but I like to picture people in my shoes. It's comforting in a weird way.

The man who just took a seat in the aisle next to me has found a phone, and was nice enough to pick it up and contact someone in the phone book, and is offering to help return it. I love seeing people be nice it makes me happy! I have also left my phone behind on the train and someone did the same for me and shipped it to me. I was very grateful; I'm actually planning on sending him a Christmas card even though it was in the summer and he may not remember.

Behind me I can hear this woman trying to strike up conversations with the guy behind me. He is about my age (21) and she is at least 40. He is telling her that he's in the Navy based in NH and likes to keep to himself. That was the biggest hint for LEAVE ME ALONE I've ever heard, but she keeps prying in. Asking him where he's coming from, if he has many friends, and if he reads. He politely answers every question.

I then hear him answer that he doesn't have many friends by choice, because the boys there are a little clicky and he's no follower. She then questions his personal style and says something like "Your style is a little borderline metro sexual, something I wouldn't expect from a Navy boy." He was clearly annoyed by the statement and does one of the nervous/pissed off laughs.

THEN! What comes out of this woman's mouth makes me want to turn around and say "Are you kidding me? Who do you think you are?" She says "You're not gay are you?" He says NO! Then she continues to ask him like well maybe your bisexual did you ever think about that, and maybe that's why it's hard for you to make friends. Evidently this boy does not know what to say and I feel terrible she is bombarding him like this. Not even 2 minutes later she excuses herself to the bathroom, I turned around and said "would you like to sit with me, I promise not to pry into your life. " He cheerfully accepts.

Who is she to question him like this? Not only is she being inappropriate she is asking with such disgust. This is really grinding my gears!

When Nosy McIgnorant returns she notices him sitting next to me, and she says "Ugh?!? I didn't offend you did I? He just looks up and she huffs. "I think he would just like to relax and not have his sexuality questioned by a stranger." I say. She lets out a huge sigh and takes her seat.

When the conductor comes by he asks for my receipt but I couldn't find it when he returns I show it to him and he lets out happily "You find it? ... You Go Girl! We appreciate you thanks for riding! "Cheerful people really rub off on me.

It's so dark gloomy and gray out. It's not helping the fact that I feel miserable leaving my honey Boooo!

When we arrived I walked outside of the train station, and waited there for my friend to pick me up. A few feet behind me I could hear someone yelling " Can someone spare a few dollars, can someone help me get to Fall River ? " Over and over. I waited outside for awhile, I saw people walk right past him. Dozens and dozens not even looking at him. People automatically assume homeless, druggy, drunk, or pan handler. My boyfriend always tells me NEVER EVER give money to people when you are alone, and absolutely NEVER pull out your wallet. Well..... it's the holiday season and I have 8 dollars in my back pocket, it cant cost more than 8 dollars for the train ... Im guessing. I walk over and hand him my 8 dollars and he praises me " Thank you! You're an angel! I appreciate this so much!" He didn't look like a bum to me just a maintenance man or something.

He walked inside immediately and I was kind of curious if he would use my money for the right reason so I peaked through the doors, and ya know what? He went right to the ticket stand. I felt so good ! What if I were stranded in the city with no money for some reason? I'd want someone to help me.

I called this the do-gooder version because it kinda picked that theme up on its own.

Enjoy :)