What am I, Flypaper for Freaks?

Riding public transportation can be enlightening. It can also be maddening, but that's a whole different story...

It was late, and I needed to take the bus back from my internship. I was chowing on a freshly-picked apple as I climbed on board, the only passenger. The driver had either had too much coffee or was a little manic, or maybe both: he was stopping the bus in the middle of the street without pulling over, often cruising half a block past a requested stop. About halfway through the ride, as we were stopped at a light, he spun around in his chair and looked at me.

"Young people sure know how to eat right," he said.

"I guess that's true," I responded. I mean, what do you say to something like that?

"Always eating apples and other good things. It's really healthy."

"Well, it's apple season," I told him. "I just went apple picking this weekend. They're really good when they're fresh."

We had started moving again, but he continued to talk to me over his shoulder, turning around again at lights.

"Yeah, young people eat so healthy. I mean, they know to eat pizza instead of Chinese food. My generation, we'd always choose Chinese food."

Um...

"And when young people eat at Mexican restaurants, they know beans are healthy; they eat the beans."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." What?!?!

At this point, it seemed our conversation was over. He started chatting with two BU students who climbed aboard.

As I was getting off, I wished him a good night and told him to get an apple. His reaction was of clearly not remembering we had even talked.

Makes you feel good to be taking the T, doesn't it?