All you had to do was say "It's an article about the architecture of the Summer Olympics in China," then put your hood back where it was and turn back around. He'd have gotten the message, I think.

Just sayin'. Sounds like he was curious and you *did* give him attitude.

"How is it?"
"It was really good until some random moron interrupted me."

Anyway, nobody wants to talk to you now. Mission accomplished!

I'm sure the guy was just being friendly, but c'mon! Hood pulled up/headphones on/reading a magazine = I don't feel like being social right now.

you just politely say it's about the olympics and put your headphones back on; repeat this until he gets the idea.

Haha, I read that as "mass transient". Probably not too far from the truth.

I too feel you pain--I was at a Subway the other day and this guy standing too close to me had b.o., the nerve! And he breathed heavily through his nose while he at his sandwich.

Also, I was waiting for the 174, and this weird lady with a bunch of Safeway bags filled with bread crumbs--cut in front of me.

Shit is crazy out there!

I just want to tell all of my soldiers out there, such as yourself, to stay strong!

understandable mistake.

thank god you didn't fail to reprimand him.

ever so mildly, by being frank for once.

How's he going to learn to not bug people if those whom he bugs have to be all polite and nice and mushy and polite and fake?

What an asshole thing to do, yo.

Seriously, it would have been so easy just to give a succinct explanation --- you are a journalist, after all --- and then go about your day. What's the problem?

No, instead, you decided you were above this person and would rather demean them then perhaps actually provide them with some information that they otherwise were unaware of.

I once road a Greyhound bus from LA to Spokane and was freaked out for my life because I was sitting next to a homeless, delusional man who smelled and was playing with an invisible sword all while staring at a 13-year-old girl in a tank top across the aisle.

But I still talked to him, because I'm not a dick.

oh, well, this younger generation has no manners at all. i'd have been happy to answer his question! i love talking to all sorts of people in all sorts of places. remind me to avoid you at the next slog happy hour, lest i feel your wrath, sunny jim.

I would like to point out that Eric didn't give a description of the person. All I know is that it's a he. Depending on their demeanor, I might've said the same thing.

Usually works but apparently this guy was determined.

Perhaps this is all just predispositions to Grandy himself. I'm sure if he had a "politer" response, all the negative commentors in here would have still been negative.

Eric made no effort to be nice or polite, so I think calling him a dick is warranted.

"Takoyakidanobaba @22, the best Slog handle that makes no sense to you at all."

Well, my slog handle does make sense to me: it's a play on words of the popular Japanese street food and the Tokyo district, since you are quizzing me...

For those who don't know --- you betta' ax' somebody!

"What blocks is they talking about?" Hah! He sure talks funny! No way you'd be able to have a meaningful conversation with him, much less treat him with an ounce of common respect. A doff of my cap to you, good sir!

A MAN WAS RUDE TO ME ON A GREYHOUND BUS. Share your thoughts >>

Some punk had his stupid Chris Rock bullshit blasting so loud the entire fucking bus could hear. I politely nudged him and asked him to turn it down. He gave me a shiteating grin and turned it up and went back to looking out the window. I then politely backhanded his headphones off and then told him now he's going to turn it off. A couple people were shocked, namely him, and he obeyed. Big whoop.

And I can't help but stress the major differences between Greyhound and Metro. If I did that on Greyhound, I'd most likely be knifed or shot.

Lemme guess, the guy you were such a dismissive dick to was likely black...Correct?

Would you have done the same if he was a hot blond chick?

Yeah... I call shnanagins on that. Was this person perchance drinking from a comedy oversized jug with XXX on the side. Or possibly "Do'in some whitl'n"

I stand by my (friendly) point--the joke is aimed at a pretty narrow niche, ne?

SOCK PUPPETRY!!!!!1

Even when I was in Tokyo, I thought that one could have had a warmer reception.

Guess I wasn't ready to let it go.

Cheers!

That said, this:

Eric just missed a rare opportunity to meet with DJ Fuck You Up On The Bus, Uppity Motherfucker!!

...was truly funny!

Shit man, you would love reading your magazine down here.

Usually works for me, but might not solve the problem if the other person is only interested in finding a listener. Then, it's ear plugs and a nap.