Darn, I should have taken a photo with my mobile. Anyway, here goes:
Riding the metro is rarely fun. The SDF (Sans Domicile Fixe – this term literally means “without a permanent address”, it’s part of an attempt to restore dignity to everyone, even the homeless) get on the metro and then they’ve got you captive for 60-90 seconds. But the other day we got a special treat. It is the period of Ramadan, and since several of my coworkers are Muslim I’ve become more familiar with this religious holiday.
Anyways, a Muslim woman gets on the metro and we take off. Then she takes off. Starts saying it’s unacceptable that they sell alcohol during Ramadan. She pulls out a small book (maybe the Koran?) and just keeps on preaching. At least the SDF get off after one or two stops. Then she starts in on Jewish people. Then homosexuals. I have to give her credit, she found a way to insult practically everyone in the subway car!
Usually on the metro you’re not supposed to look at the person in front of you (who has their knees just inches away from your most sacred possessions) but with crazy lady on the train we couldn’t help but look at each other, make faces, roll our eyes, etc. Some people were flat out busting with laughter.
And she continued. Apparently god turned the homosexuals into monkeys. I’m not quite sure that fits into Darwin’s theory of evolution. We finally arrived at Saint-Lazare, a big station where the subway car practically empties out and then fills up again all in just 20 seconds. As we left the car we were laughing while crazy lady kept preaching to us, having moved on from the monkeys to another subject. And the looks on the faces of the people waiting to get on was quite amusing. What the heck? There’s a crazy lady in the wagon! Yet they got on as we got off .
This reminds me of one other time, although the lady wasn’t crazy. She was also Arabic but I am by no means saying that all the crazy people are Arabic! She gets on and gives us a sad story about needing money and stuff. Not too convincing because no one gave her money. Then as she was getting off she starts cursing at us in a mix of French and Arabic. Yelling and screaming! Everyone was relieved when she got off, and even more relieved that we hadn’t given her any money!
A week or so later I just happened to see her again. Same sad story. I wanted to yell out “Don’t give her anything! She’s going to curse us all!” but I held back. A woman gave her some coins. And same as last time, as she was getting off she starts cursing us again! That can’t be good for business. I haven’t seen her since.
So I’m not sure if crazy lady is only crazy during Ramadan or if she’s always like that. But next time I’ll be prepared with my camera.
Loved your story.. I just LOVE my metro rides most of the time… when there is something interesting going on!! I always look at people and sometimes strike up nice conversions with complete inconnu… but that is me.. I did that back in the States, too.. Just curious… Do you think that second woman was Arabic or maybe North African?? There is a big difference (My ex-hub was Moroccan and NOT Arabic- And he made that QUITE CLEAR!!!). Also, she might have been a gypsy as they are often dress in clothing much like the Muslim garb for women… Unless, of course, you speak Arabic and you understood what the woman was ranting about.. From the language, you can also get the dialect and pinpoint the country of origin much better.. just wondering… Take care, Leesa
Yesterday on my way home there was a crazy man drinking beer and shouting (maybe to himself, maybe to others – not sure which) as he walked down the quai. Fortunately he didn’t get on the metro. I seem to encounter a lot of “crazies” now, but that’s probably because my neighourhood isn’t quite as nice as the one I lived in during my first two years here.