I'm Minnesota Nice

So today, working on day-desk I made my first trip to the Capitol but this not another opportunity to gush about how much I love my job. Today, I am addressing public transportation of the Twin Cities.

I love MetroTransit. I meet all sorts of interesting people and generally get to the places I need to be with little cost or hassle. I often assume it is safer than me driving as the last time I drove, I had a terrible fender bender that cost me $500.

But today was the first time I have ever felt completely uncomfortable. I was relentlessly harassed by TWO different men despite my best efforts to ignore them.

The 16---A Dialogue Play

Scene: A college student (ME:tall, blond, wearing a green coat and pencil skirt) boards the bus and finds a seat to herself. A man (short, about 55, wearing a black leather jacket) takes the seat next to her.

Man: Mind if I join you?

Me: (blinks) Oh no, go ahead. (I smile, not realizing it was a mistake)

Man:(mutters something completely inaudible, then turns to me)I mean, you're blinding me.

Me: Excuse me?

Man: I mean, that(pointing to me)is Minnesota Nice.

Me: Oh no...(slight laugh, looking down)

Man: Are you cold? It's cold right? You all bundled up.

Me: I'm not cold. Well, I was outside. It's cold waiting for the bus.

Man: We could make other arrangements.

Me: (I ignore this statement because I do not understand)

Man: You know, you're a flower. And I'm a weed.

Me: Excuse me?

Man: You know what weeds do to flowers? Choke them. I just wanna put my arms around you.

Me: No, thank you.

Man: Your phone is pink, you real girly. You need a man to rough you up. I need that feminine touch. (This statement is ignored)

Man: Are you a secretary? We can make arrangements and you can make a lot more money...(laughs)

Man: I can teach you how to shake it, girl. (Man realizes it is his stop and exits the bus)

And then, the man in front of me turned around and said, "Don't you just love riding the bus?"

I wouldn't ride the 16 alone at night.