The people you sit opposite on the train these days

[sombrefan]

Usually on a week day when I got to work, I get the train and read my paper and get off at my usual stop. Today, however, was different. I sit down. Two guys sit down opposite. I figure they are students. So I glance over the guy sitting directly opposite me. To my bemusement, I see that he has swastikas tattooed on his hands, as well as Combat 18 (British supremacist terror organisation). By now, my normal daily routine has been killed off. So I look away from his hands and notice the White National Party badge on his jacket. By now I'm in two minds whether to find another seat or just sit there. So I sit there. Open up my Guardian (a paper which neo-nazis like him hate) and read that cover to cover several times so I didn't have to look at him.

I think he knew that I had twigged what he was. As he kept his head and didn't look at me either. Anyway the three of us got off at my stop, him and his mate got into a builders van and headed off. Leaving me wondering if I should have done something. I loathe neo-Nazis, always have done. But this is the first time, I've been face to face with one. Should I have punched him? Should I have spat at him? Should I have shown a look of disgust?

I don't know. What would you have done, if you had to sit opposite someone like that for 15 minutes on a train?

Comments

[wondersheep.livejournal.com]

They didn't offer you violence, you didn't offer them violence. You did the right thing.

I would have smiled at the boys and said, 'Good morning!' in my most syrupy voice and then read my book. Then, when we left the train together, I would have stepped in front of them and said, "Pardon me, thank you." accompanied by another syrupy smile.

Why? I'm the child of a mixed race couple. I've been called a mongrel dog to my face. If you can't kill 'em, kill 'em with kindness.
SWS