stupid people


Where I live, the underground's escalator is long and steep, and very often it's out of order, forcing you to climb up the four flights of stairs. I recall many, many times after school and university, heaving my heavy backpack up the stairs per pedis.

Because it is broken so often, I developed the habit to peek for the light indicators (green and red at the beginning of the escalator) as soon as I walk around the steel columns, down at the station. This way I'm able to start swearing approaching the stairs, before I actually climb up swiftly, not without a sigh.
Today, a young, bold man of possibly turkish/arabic descent was striding towards the escalator in a nonchalant-arrogant motion, obviously ignoring the annoying red lights announcing that the stairs wouldn't move. I have seen that regulary in the past years - people walking up and onto the escalator, expecting it to move despite the error light. Men as often as women and mostly younger ages. He did, too. Realized that nothing happened and turned his head, looking dissatisfied but nevertheless pretending to be the cool macho. Idiot. They're all idiots. Why don't they believe the lights? I have never encountered red lights at the escalators when they actually worked. Anyway, I resigned to the fact and took a deep breath, having done my swearing before, humming Kurt Nilsen's version of "a beautiful day" while I hastened up the stairs. It gives you strong legs at last, this daily training.

Posted: Do - Januar 15, 2004 at 12:07 Uhr      

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