WWYD? I am NOT a stalker. I am just waiting for my train!

[OooohHorlicks]

So for three days a week I take a train to work. I stand on the platform and wait for the train and don’t really register anything or anyone. I vaguely stand behind a couple that also wait for the train because they stand in the place where the door stops, and it is just in my nature to form a queue.

Anyway this week I was gazing into space and noticed that the woman in front of me kept gesturing towards me. So I tuned in. “I just hate it”, she says to the man. “She always stands behind us.” "Arse, she’s got a point", I think. And I can see how it must be totally disconcerting, but I never really saw it as standing behind them, just as standing where the doors stop, and they usually get to the platform first.

So the following day I resolved to stand to the side of them rather than behind and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that she had marched further down the platform with the man. Fair enough, I think. Problem solved – you don’t like it, then move. Wait for the train. I turn my head to see it as it pulls in and she is looking at me laughing, and then giving the man a triumphant laugh.

Now I am slightly torn. On the one hand I am thinking she needs to get a life / grip / perspective, is obviously very petty, and for three or four minutes in a morning I am quite happy to ignore the ridiculous behaviour and stand where I please. On the other hand I can actually see why it would be disconcerting to have a random standing behind you every day and I feel slightly aggrieved at being held out to be a stalker when I am barely able to function and just unthinkingly doing what I always do.

So what do I do? It’s a small station and a short train, only 4 carriages. I could wait further along to get on one of the other carriages but they are either ones with a toilet on (grim) or high risk in terms of getting / not getting a seat. But I can’t really be doing with this every morning. I just want a quiet life. Hopefully they will just continue to wait further down the platform but if they get there before me I suspect they will make a point of waiting in their usual space.

So what would you do? Apart from tell me to worry about something worth worrying about?

Sorry work got in the way. Yes I will be back on tomorrow although not Friday. Tomorrow may in fact be my last journey for a while what with half term and working arrangements etc.

I will try to make eye contact with the suspected MNetter but will have to tread VERY carefully or risk having to face an increasing band of people who think I'm unhinged.

In which case I would have to find another station / train line to travel from!

Ok, what if the suspected MNer agrees to wear, say a green scarf or something?!

If she shows up tomorrow in a green scarf you KNOW it's her!

Failing that, show up dressed impeccably head to toe but with a pair of knickers on your head. Smile and nod politely.

Sounds like she needs to get over herself , stand strong in your queue of 2 , I would probably pretend I have horrible cold (sniff nose fake cough)

Sorry just found this thread only read the first page and thought id put my 2 pence in wish id carryed on reading now this is hilarious

I've had a totally radical thought. You could ask barge in front person if they're a mumsnetter. Genius

Right, Horlicks needs backup and doesn't want to out herself so we need MN volunteers with pombear packet corsages and newspapers with eye holes on the London bound platform of every small surrey station tomorrow morning from 7.20. Do we have any volunteers?
I would (no really, I would!) but I'm at the wrong end of the country.

(In the voice of Mel Gibson pretending to be Scottish) 'They may take out lives, but they will never take our freedom to stand where we like on the platform!!!'

Go on, tell us the station and those of us that can will turn up. I personally think everyone should flick their hair!

I'd dearly love to! But I cannot.

Somehow this thread has come off my active list....just popping it back on!! Keep up the good work horlicks.

Love the green scarf idea, though would think green is less commonplace than, say blue. If i was random possible mnetter, i would have to go and buy a green scarf before work, thus putting whole place on platform thing at great risk! Phew!

Hm. I am actually wearing a turquoise coloured scarf...

Well. I took up my position. They turned up. I heard her snort. They are now at the other end of the platform.

I think your work here is done MNetters! Thank you.

Yay!!!!!!

Haha! In your face snotty platform lady!!

I'm a relatively new mumsnetter, what is the pom bear thing all about? I don't understand!!!

Was it an angry/disgruntled snort? Or a laughing/scornful snort?

:o

I bet hair flicky woman's friend/partner deep down thinks she's a loon. He's going along with it as he can't stand the idea of an argument but inside he's

JR - I'm not sure I ever got to read the original thread, but there was a situation I think where a MNer had been invited to a 'dinner party' and was served pombears as nibbles. Pombears are now seen as a way of recognising other MNers, like a secret code :o

frugal I'm not sure. I suspect her manner leans more towards scorn but either way she WILL make her point!

Viva, I thought this too initially but now I'm not so sure. He may just be a little quieter about it.

I wonder what will happen when it is just them and me - if I arrive after them. Perhaps they will move again? I don't have enough energy to carry that much anger first thing in the morning.

Ah well.

Thanks for the update Horlicks, they are crazy

Ugh, horrible miserable cow. Can you give her a little sarcastic wave to cheer yourself up?

I think we still need a regular debrief Horlicks, we just do.

JRMumma
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/a1056940-to-think-this-couple-are-bonkers
Be warned, you have to wade through quite a lot before you find out about Pom Bears

Just look over at her with your eyes crossed. Then look away.

Next time you are near her, look at her, roll your eyes at her and give a derisive snort. Or just smirk, like you're watching a stroppy child throwing a tantrum. You might have to practice getting the right mixture of amusement and contempt into your expression, but it will piss her off if you get it right.

She's an idiot.

Love this thread, found it last night couldn't wait til baby's nap today to read it all!

Thanks for clearing up about the pom bears, ill wade through that thread later when I'm having a bath!

I love this thread (not placemarking at all!)