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?
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WWYD? I am NOT a stalker. I am just waiting for my train!
OooohHorlicks · 31/01/2014 17:00
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Ah, but DidoTheDodo , are you a southerner, or do you just live there now? 
To be fair, DH is a northerner, but he's from the North West, not the North East, and he did find my tendency to strike up conversations at bus stops, etc, with total strangers rather unnerving. He's used to it now and does it himself I think. 
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Maybe she's from the same stand-offish bit of the North West my DH is apparently from then DidoTheDodo .
Nice to read on threads like this that there are southerners who buck the commuter stereotype though. :)
Stand behind her, lean in then whisper 'don't worry, I won't push you' then laugh maniacally 
not really but she won't stand in front of you again
Here you are, OP. Print off, stick to cover of old book, 'read' on the platform.
Try not to get arrested
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