Monday 19 July 2010

The Horror

* WARNING: MAY CAUSE SEVERE ICKINESS FOR WHICH I APOLOGISE PROFUSELY*

I thought I had grown immune to when people decide to finish off their morning toilette on the train –from those who think nothing of putting their make up on or brushing their hair (and that includes cleaning their hairbrush) or even those who decide to paint their nails in full view of everyone.

I thought I had mastered the art of ignoring my fellow commuters who think nothing of using the train carriage as an extension of their bathroom.

I thought I had mastered the Londoner’s persona of insularity to perfection but what happened yesterday, bloggie friends was even too much for me.

A very normal middle-aged woman – normally dressed – looking normal with one head, hair, limbs…

… took out her nail clippers and begun to clip not only her fingernails – oh no – but… HER TOE NAILS as well.

Clip, clip, clip.

I only managed to keep my revulsion at bay by telling myself to remember this feeling – this moment – as I watched her – if ever I decide to try my hand at horror story writing.

Charlie says: I may take my baths whenever and wherever but at least I’m cute with it.



Have a pristine Monday everyone!

37 comments:

Theresa Milstein said...

First let me just say, GROSS. That's crossing a line. Nobody can be immune to THAT.

At my daughter's ballet lesson, one girl's nanny cut her fingernails in the waiting area. I thought that was yucky, but now I realize I was lucky she stopped at her fingers.

I noticed in Paris nobody grooms. Nobody even pulls out a mirror. It must be the French women keeping up the facade that they're effortlessly chic.

m.q said...

happy monday dear charlie!!!
and also to u (=^_^=)

The Creek Cats said...

Public grooming is only acceptable by kitties!

Anonymous said...

Oh yuck, toenails!!! That's definate tummy churning material. *gag* hehe

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

That is really gross!!!!!!!!!!!

SF said...

Yucko! are you sure you weren't being filmed somewhere?!
I mean really, there's no other better time or place to cut your toenails than the morning commute?
At least you got something out of it for writing!

Deborah said...

Another good blogging moment!! OMC, I am laughing out loud at my computer. This is hilarious!
xxoo
Deborah

notesfromnadir said...

Wow, I always thought Londoners were a little classier than that!

Charlie can bathe anywhere he wants as he's so cute & he wants to be clean! :)

Katnip Lounge said...

AAaaaaaaaauuuuuggggghhhhh!

The Head Cheese where I used to work was a compulsive nail clipper. It was a small place, and EVERY SINGLE DAY he'd clip and we all could hear. At least it was only fingernails...I hope.

The Chair Speaks said...

Am rather disappointed that there are quite a number of uncouth human who use the world as their powder room. Totally agree that at least Charlie looks cute doing it! :)

Jacqueline said...

Wow, some people have no class=what was she thinking??...Who would do that on the train??!!...Note to self: time for a pedicure :)...We agree with Charlie=he is adorable doing everything!...Happy week sweet friends...xoxo...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Oh my! I've seen some odd things in my life riding on NYC subways but never toenail clipping! I guess "anything goes" these days..lol

Love Meow said...

Oh NOSE! WHY!!! Gross!

The lady was feeling a bit too comfortable on the train....

I would have been traumatized...

Jackie said he hates getting his nails clipped.

fairyhedgehog said...

Oh yuck.

Nice cute picture of Charlie, though.

Brigid O'Connor said...

That is pretty awful, the things us mannerely people have to put up with.

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

Ewwwwwww....

Susan Fields said...

Eew...that really is disgusting. What are some people thinking???

You're looking very clean today, Charlie!

Hannah and Lucy said...

That is utterly gross - finger nails are not too bad but did she grovel down to her foot while it was on the floor - don't tell me she put her foot up on the seat and wasn't wearing knickers!! Hope you don't sit near her again today. Purrs to Charlie xx xx

JE said...

EWH!!!! Gross. Gross. Gross. There aren't enough words. I don't think I could've kept from vomiting.

Note to self: don't ever use anything other than bathroom to do those bathroom "things."

~JD

laughingwolf said...

what!?! EWWWWWWWWWWW

Matthew MacNish said...

That is very strange! Still I'm envious that you can ride the train to work at all. I would put up with that kind of thing if I could.

Kea said...

Oh, GAG! Clipping nails in public is one of the most revolting things a person can do, IMO. Up there with spitting, which I also find repulsive.

I admit, however, that I've never seen anyone clip their toe nails in public. I'm not sure I could have kept my mouth shut over that. I'm very non-confrontational, will run from/avoid conflict at just about any cost, but that would be too much.

Gag, gag, gag!

Marg said...

LOL, that is awful. Charlie, you have the right idea, put your paw over your eyes and don't watch. Jenn, make sure you don't sit anywhere near that lady again.
Have a good week away from the nail cutting nut.

Bossy Betty said...

You know, I just hate watching people clip their fingernails and toenails on the train, especially when I am trying to apply my deodorant and floss my teeth on the train.

I notice Charlie often takes a bath in your yard. May I?

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

MEOWZA!!!!!!!!!!! There are some really strange beans out there, for sure!!!!!!!!

You're looking mighty handsome today (and every day), Charlie. xxxxxx

Ellie Garratt said...

Yuck. Gross. Disgusting. That really is a new low.

Mind you, I fellow passenger told me I talked too loud the other day. I forgot I was on the quiet train.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

I understand if you break a nail in public you must take care of it so as not to stab yourself, but otherwise why in the world would you do any clipping in a public place and toe nails....come on!

Hi Charlie

purrin
Abby

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

EWwwwwwwwwwww!!! You poor thing being subjected to that!

Hart Johnson said...

*gigglesnorts*

Toenails is over the top, mostly because if they go flying, they might end up ON someone, but I tend to not worry about anything that stays in a contained space.

I guess a nudist would seem hypicritical to worry too much about what other people are doing. (I enjoy seeing YOUR reaction though)

Brian's Home Blog said...

Yuck, this little piggy when to market! You go Charlie!!!

Jackee said...

Sick! I go outside for such matters because I don't even like the thought of those toenails getting all over the bathroom floor instead of in the trash.

But my sister? She's disgusting and does it in her own car when in the passenger seat. I found the evidence once, no matter how much she denied it. Her poor husband...

Anonymous said...

You know every so often I'm really glad that I don't live there any more! :)) Ick!

SuziQCat said...

I don't understand people these days...have they no manners or common courtesy anymore? GROSS!

Simon Kewin said...

Yuk. I think you had the right response though - make use of it in a story ...

Jayne said...

EUGH! That is disgusting - what happens in a person's mind that makes them think that is acceptable?!! I've seen someone do their fingernails before (ick) but toe-nails? Bleegh.

Nedine Says said...

Recently at a flea market I saw a woman stop in the road and start to floss her teeth with one of those tiny flossers that look like a miniture toothbrush with a tiny bit of floss attached like an archer's bow. I stared in amazement, at first I couldn't figure out what she was going and then realized..Disgusting. Ditto for the nails and toenails. the mind boggles at what will be next...don't want to think about it.

Felted House said...

I used to get a lift to work with two friends, one of whom sat in the passenger seat and clipped her toenails while her hubby drove! But it was her car, not public transport! It was a very long journey, I sat in the back and did all my make-up so we were about even! xx