My Myki worked! But then on the train someone mentally unwell got on board with no shirt on and was shouting at nobody. He sat a few blocks of seats away from me (but facing me), kept talking / shouting. I could hear him through my headphones. Then he got up and started approaching people sitting in the train and talking / shouting in their faces. Most people’s strategy was to ignore, some people got up and walked off before he got too close. I sat perfectly still. One person was talking to him, asking questions about where he was going and who he was going to see, and that seemed to calm him down. Then he came to where I was sitting and asked to use my “camera” (the camera on my phone which I was gripping tightly in my hand). I said no, and he started repeating the question more angrily. My body just froze up during all of this, after the pumpkin episode and all. Getting ready to defend myself if he tried to snatch the phone or attack me. Lucky the man who had been talking to him noticed what was happening and asked him a question, he turned away and kept talking to him. And eventually got off at Footscray. That was not the relaxing train trip I had in mind for this morning.
I thanked him as he was getting off the train. He was so calm and collected throughout. Even though he told me he was getting a little worried about something bad happening. There really are good samaritans out there 😇
Thank goodness for the other guy but it’s so frustrating to have to risk experiencing that level of danger on PT. It’s no wonder that so many insist on driving even when there’s good train or tram connections. I have a lot of respect for people like that dude who are able to stay engaged and kind to people in mental distress and can redirect their behaviour
My Myki worked! But then on the train someone mentally unwell got on board with no shirt on and was shouting at nobody. He sat a few blocks of seats away from me (but facing me), kept talking / shouting. I could hear him through my headphones. Then he got up and started approaching people sitting in the train and talking / shouting in their faces. Most people’s strategy was to ignore, some people got up and walked off before he got too close. I sat perfectly still. One person was talking to him, asking questions about where he was going and who he was going to see, and that seemed to calm him down. Then he came to where I was sitting and asked to use my “camera” (the camera on my phone which I was gripping tightly in my hand). I said no, and he started repeating the question more angrily. My body just froze up during all of this, after the pumpkin episode and all. Getting ready to defend myself if he tried to snatch the phone or attack me. Lucky the man who had been talking to him noticed what was happening and asked him a question, he turned away and kept talking to him. And eventually got off at Footscray. That was not the relaxing train trip I had in mind for this morning.
I’m glad that person was kind and patient enough to try and keep this person’s attention but it’s awful that you had to experience that.
I thanked him as he was getting off the train. He was so calm and collected throughout. Even though he told me he was getting a little worried about something bad happening. There really are good samaritans out there 😇
I’m so sorry you keep dealing with this shit
Thank goodness for the other guy but it’s so frustrating to have to risk experiencing that level of danger on PT. It’s no wonder that so many insist on driving even when there’s good train or tram connections. I have a lot of respect for people like that dude who are able to stay engaged and kind to people in mental distress and can redirect their behaviour