General Discussion Thread

[Athena]

ALIENS

THEY HAVE COME TO STEAL OUR POUTINE

[Johannabelle]

They look like they might be sea rafts, a type of cnidarian. They look really cool, though!

Ah, that's exactly what they look like! Thank you, that's an interesting article. I've literally never heard of Sea Rafts, they sure are weird looking things.

ALIENS

Not gonna lie, that was like the third thought that popped into my mind upon seeing these.

[Noodles]

Ah, that's exactly what they look like! Thank you, that's an interesting article. I've literally never heard of Sea Rafts, they sure are weird looking things.
Not gonna lie, that was like the third thought that popped into my mind upon seeing these.

Ooh, we have those here too. Funny-looking critters.

[Róisín]

Yeah, they look like by-the-wind-sailors (sorry, that's the name I know them by, that and Vellela). The web-like membrane on their backs can be raised like a sail, to catch the wind and move them about, or in this case strand them on the beach, poor things. They are actually colonies of micro-jellyfish, and have tiny stinger tentacles on the underside with which they catch plankton and such tiny stuff. Don't pick them up, some people are allergic, and while most human skin is resistant to their tiny stinging cells, getting them near your eyes and mouth may be unwise. We used to find them washed up on the beaches in the West of Ireland.

[Athena]

Finally got around to watching the Sherlock Christmas special (The Abominable Bride) and basically the conclusion I got from it is that the whole show is actually about Sherlock being high on drugs and going crazy. (Seriously though, it was a pretty good episode, however overpriced.)

[Laufey]

A long weekend in the old homeland up ahead. The whole yesterday was spent either flying or running around in Helsinki where so much has changed and so little has changed. When did store staff get so talkative? I was constantly approached by someone wanting to know if I needed help and running me a list of what things were on offer or new, and that was unpleasant as all heck. Didn't get much clothes shopping done, will try again on Saturday.

Other than that I bought tea and art supplies of course, Icelandic tea variety does not come even close to what I can access here and well, same for the art supplies. Besides it was fun to see my old employer again, I used to work at that craft store for a bit back in the day.

Today I'll head to the woods, er, by crossing the street maybe.

[Pupunen]

People offering me help when I'm shopping make me so uncomfortable that I have to fight the urge to just leave immediately. Chatty people on public transport are even worse though because you can't escape until you get to your stop. Also, they're often drunk.

[Rabbit]

Headphones. In public. Always. Big, do-not-talk-to-me-I-can't-hear-you headphones. Works against chatty co-passengers, salesfolk, ad jingles and annoying background music.

Well, that and pretending to only speak Japanese if someone already caught you.

[Róisín]

I get a lot of people talking to me on public transport, in fact it is quite usual for total strangers to sit down by me and begin to tell me their life story, or to ask my advice about something. I suspect I look like everyones' bushie grandmother! I don't really mind, unless they are really irritating or smelly. I often learn interesting things, or am able to help.

[Fimbulvarg]

People offering me help when I'm shopping make me so uncomfortable that I have to fight the urge to just leave immediately. Chatty people on public transport are even worse though because you can't escape until you get to your stop. Also, they're often drunk.

If you tell them you're 'just browsing' they leave you alone. It's not like they're trying to harass you or anything, they're paid to help people find what they need.

[Pupunen]

If you tell them you're 'just browsing' they leave you alone. It's not like they're trying to harass you or anything, they're paid to help people find what they need.

Oh, I know that, I just can't help that it terrifies me for some reason.

[Helia]

I'm in the tram, standing, which is perfectly fine because I sit in front of the computer too much at work so I prefer not sit in the tram.

1. Someone (speaking English) tries to offer me his seat, apparently just because I'm a woman. This alone would have been enough to make me highly uncomfortable but it gets worse. I politely refuse, but he insists. I have to explain why I don't want to sit.
2. He starts making small talk, asking about my work, etc. I force a smile and give short, vague answers, hoping each question is the last one. It's only two tram stops but he gets to "are your parents from Helsinki" before I can escape.

And the worst part is that I still feel I was so rude not wanting to talk to him. At least I remembered to say 'have a nice day' before I sneaked out.

He might have been from Hungary... it's hammered into every kid's head, that they should offer their seats to the elderly, pregnant women and women in general. And if young people don't stand up when someone of the said group approaches, the "youngsters these days" rant will begin.

[viola]

Chatty people on public transport are even worse though because you can't escape until you get to your stop. Also, they're often drunk.

I was on the bus on the way back from the airport and I'm wearing my university sweater (because it's giant and comfy and like wearing a big blanket so perfect for planes) and this random guy sits next to me and starts asking me about my grades and if I have a boyfriend and all sorts of really personal questions and the whole time I was just like ok when is my stop when is my stop when is my stop aghhhhh.

[urbicande]

I get a lot of people talking to me on public transport, in fact it is quite usual for total strangers to sit down by me and begin to tell me their life story, or to ask my advice about something. I suspect I look like everyones' bushie grandmother! I don't really mind, unless they are really irritating or smelly. I often learn interesting things, or am able to help.

This sounds normal to me,  but I'm a New Yorker.  We talk to *everyone*

Even on the London Underground,  which is Just Not Done.

[SectoBoss]

Even on the London Underground,  which is Just Not Done.

Yeah, you do not talk to strangers on British public transport. Even the briefest of eye contact is unofficially discouraged.