On Amtrak, today.

[George K]

Seen on FB:

"I’m on a sold-out Amtrak, and the married couple sitting directly across the aisle from me have been openly arguing for the past hour, oscillating between hushed tones and more spirited declarations.

They’ve covered a lot of ground.

First, it was whether or not he had drunk too much of her drink. He was insistent he had only taken three sips, but she was certain he had taken “four large sips.” There was much back-and-forth over how to define a “sip” and what constitutes too many. Left un-clarified is why he didn’t walk 40 ft. to the café car to get his own drink or why she didn’t assert a boundary over her beverage after his second or third sip.

Somehow, that veered into bickering over their kid in college and choice of major. It was unclear what exactly either of them wanted but both were certain the other wasn’t right. I wonder if their kid might consider psychology.

Then, it was over his expressed desire to get a dog. They apparently don’t have the work-life balance that can accommodate caring for a dog, but he wants one. She asked how this surprise desire for a canine came about. He seemed to demur, for some reason. Both are now plainly irritated.

It’s impossible to not hear them, but none of us can make a credible attempt to remind them they’re in a crowded car because the hushed tones predominate the convo and the spirited outbursts are fleeting.
There is still a solid hour left for this train ride, and the mood in this section is quite awkward.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers."

---

In the comments:

"Oh, I'd have been taking notes! LOL"

"I’ve always been tempted to join into people’s conversations and give my opinion that they didn’t ad for when they are talking too loud but have never been brave enough to."

"I would absolutely join in on the conversation. If they're loud enough for others to plainly hear, they obviously don't care about privacy. "

"I’d be giving them advice on every topic."

[jodi]

Lol! Hilarious. Expect for when you are sitting in the car with them, and then it’s awkward and super annoying.

[George K]

@Aqua-Letifer would have 100% joined the conversation, giving his opinion on everything.

[Mik]

I’d be more concerned if he wanted a sheep.

[Doctor Phibes]

@Mik said in On Amtrak, today.:

I’d be more concerned if he wanted a sheep.

He's clever. You start with the dog, then you ask for the sheep as it "will give the dog something to do".

[Mik]

Aw, c’mon…. In these anything goes days, why not add another meaning to the B in LGBTQxxxx?

[Doctor Phibes]

Bah, bah, baaaaaah Barbara Ann

[Mik]

Three bahs, philistine.

[Aqua Letifer]

@George-K said in On Amtrak, today.:

@Aqua-Letifer would have 100% joined the conversation, giving his opinion on everything.

Funny you should mention!

Was eating early breakfast at a local place just this past weekend. (It was about 7 AM so it was just me, or else someone would have stopped me.) Across from me were these three moms who apparently meet up regularly on weekend mornings.

One of them was lamenting the fact that their child wasn't interested in STEM classes and just wanted to write stuff. And how concerned they were because that doesn't really lead to any good job prospects.

We had a fun conversation. Fun for me, anyways. I was nice but they were such dipshits. I feel bad for the kids.

[Mik]

The ability to communicate is fundamental to every, and I do mean every, occupation. My ability to write took me much further than my ability to code.