Aah, just remembered this.
Back in '99, my uni organised a trip to New York. Weirdly, it's the only city I've ever felt safe in, even in the hairy parts (the trick is to carry something in your hand, wear headphones to look like you're used to the place, scowl at tourists and make conversation with anyone you inadvertently make physical contact with. I was bothered once, and all it took was a fierce scowl and a 'look at this, will ya?!' nod to some stanger across the street to send the kid running.)

Anyhoo, there were two other girls on this trip, both 'money', with Mulberry bags bought for the trip (?!) and one brain cell between them. Home counties valley girls, if you will. They took the fast train uptown instead of the slow one, and ended up quite a bit past 110th st at a very rundown station full of shiftys. They got off the train, totally lost, and unable to find out how to get back downtown. Then they noticed someone following them. They took some more turns. So did he. They sped up. So did he. They realised he was black, and decided they were going to be raped and mugged if they stopped walking. They took a turn and ended up at a locked gate. Mulberry bags aloft, ready to strike, the guy rounded the corner.

"Ladies, I've been tyring to get your attention - didn't you see me? I didn't want to shout and draw attention. You are SO in the wrong place, let me show you the platform for downtown"

Stupid, stupid cows.
(niceandwarmandhot vive la résistance, Thu 15 Jun 2006, 17:57, Reply)