to carry a pomander when travelling by public transport?

[ElaineFiggis]

I was verbally abused this afternoon on the train by a very rude old man who seemed to take it personally that I was using a pomander

I know it's a bit unfashionable (don't know why though!) but the way I see it is why the hell shouldn't I take whatever measures I deem appropriate to protect myself from discomfort?

If people observed proper personal hygiene (nothing obsessive here, I just mean not actually smelling bad and making other people feel unwell) and stayed off the buses and trains when they have hacking coughs and sneezes etc, I wouldn't use it

but I travel a lot and just want to be comfortable - why he was so rude I don't understand

he called me a "cow"

[Mermaidspam]

Oh please tell us who you really are - I'm crying here

[Thingiebob]

rofl

[wickerman]

Reveal yourself Figgis
You are a genius of comedy

[ThatVikRinA22]

another one! lordy!...very good! am still getting over the other thread where the OP hates the name chris...

[BustleInYourHedgerow]

Thank you Elaine, for making me laugh after a very very crappy day

[thumbwitch]

What a great thread - perhaps she is for real, perhaps not but the bit that had me pmsl was taking Rhubarb's name in vain and suggesting sticking cloves into her it.

I would use a hanky with teatree or eucalyptus or even lemonbalm oil in it, as those are antiseptic.

Elaine you nutter - get yourself an oil burner and some melissa oil (aka lemonbalm) and burn that in your bedroom - in fact, get a small one of these with melissa oil in to take about with you on public transport. Not only does it smell better but it actually DOES sanitise the air around you.

[Pikelit]

Forsooth! Do you not have a personal sedan chair?

[Clary]

This may be my fave thread ever!
(cannot be for real tho)

Carrying a pomander is certainly not something I have ever seen anybody do. However, I agree it?s no reason for the smelly man to call you a cow.

BTW I use public transport a lot and I have never felt the need of anything pomander related. Maybe we are just all fresh and lovely where I live

[TheHeadbangingWombat]

This has to go into classics. I don't think that I've ever laughed so hard over a thread,particuarly at Sardine's satsuma deelyboppers.

[pagwatch]

oh I want Elaine to be my friend to. I have only found this this morning and it has made me laugh in spite ofthe pile of ironing awaiting my attention.

I am not sure why she does not do what I do though. By a couple of pesant children and have them throw rose petals where you walk.
If you pick a couple of beefy ones they can elbow the hoi poloi out of your way too. Which is nice.

My friend used to keep a small spray bottle of Chanel in her pocket and would discreetly spray anyone she considered less than fragrant. Seriously.
She was a little barking though. She always travelled with a cashmere blanket so her arse didn't have to touch airplane or train seats.

I miss her .

[elmofan]

lol pagwatch you have just made me choke on my toast

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

elmofan, beware! Any coughing and Elaine will thrust her pomander at you.

Still laughing at this thread.

[elmofan]

rofl - lesson learned i have switched over to a rather depressing thread while eating my toast ,

[toddlerama]

Elaine, I HEART you! I am off to procure a pomander forthwith!

Seriously, this is a good idea. YANBU and the old man yelling at you was jealous. He is probably puncturing fruit for himself as we type.

[applepudding]

OK, serious suggestion here - if the OP is so worried about germs why doesn't she get one of the face masks that the tourists were wearing in London a couple of months ago to avoid swine flu??

[crankytwanky]

I have been so engrosed in this thread, DS has turned to drink! (He was trying to drink the dregs from DH's beer cans out of the recycling.
OP, do you also believe that you get a cold by being cold?
I too am off to sainsbo's for some cheapo oranges and some cloves. That's something to do with DD at the weekend.
If I see anyone else doing the same, I'll assume they're a MNer, especially if they've also got penguins in their basket.

[thell]

... did you know clove oil is a powerful antiseptic? so there is some science behind the old practises of carrying dried herbs around with you. so elaine you are not crazy, just sweetly eccentric

but i'm afraid i would chuckle inwardly if i saw someone with an orange pomander on a bus a bit of essential oil on a hanky would be a more powerful sanitiser and much more sane discreet!

(love the idea of the deely boppers and banana necklace - that's the christmas presents sorted out for all my immediate family,...)

[elmofan]

ok hiding my oranges & cloves in trolley from cranky

[MissM]

Have been enjoying this one since yesterday. But I'm confused by the smelly old man. Whether Elaine is for real or not, why would you call someone a 'cow' for carrying a pomander? A 'mad old bat', perhaps, but not a cow. All very curious.

[thumbwitch]

I guess it depends on whether she waved it aggressively in his direction or not - if she did, that would probably warrant the "cow" comment.

Either that or he thought she had taken a hedgehog to a permatanning salon and he was an outraged wildlife lover...

[GentleOtter]

As far as I know there are no links between cows and pomanders but don't quote me on that.

[gagamama]

I don't bother with a pomander personally, I find it ineffective. I usually just take a flail and club troublesome people with it at will.

[KembleTwins]

Perhaps when Elaine says "pomander", she actually means this They do look pretty similar.

[elmofan]

rofl kemble
i am still waiting for the big reveal on this thread lol