Encounter with a male Karen on the MTA

[SamAdams76]

Who first decided to milk a cow? Was it a desire to obtain calcium or was it an act of perversion? We may never know. But from cow's milk came a proliferation of dairy products such as yogurt, butter, ice cream, and cheese. I do not like cottage cheese or sour cream but they derive from cow milk as well.

Why are eggs found in the dairy department of supermarkets? Eggs have nothing to do with cow milk. They belong in the meat section.

Things are loosening up in NYC with regard to the big COVID scare. Restaurants began taking down their stupid signs saying that only vaccinated are allowed inside. It was 70 degrees in the city today and not many people were wearing the slave masks.

Somehow I got through two years of working in NYC without having an encounter with a "mask Karen" but for some reason today was the day I finally had one, just when people finally started to relax about the whole silly thing.

It was on the Metro North after work, traveling from Grand Central back to Connecticut and it was a MALE Karen.

Now the MTA (who runs Metro North) is one of the last bastions of mask madness. Entering the trains, there are constant recordings played over the loudspeakers that people must have their masks "covering mouth and nose" at all times. The conductors used to vigorously enforce the rule but in recent weeks, they've sort of let up a bit and more and more people would pull their masks down during the ride and get some fresh air. For it is very uncomfortable breathing through a face diaper on a hot train.

Due to the unseasonably warm weather, most commuters today were in a celebratory mood and many had their face masks pulled down - or off completely.

I was happy to join them as I occupied a three-seater at Grand Central. I had it all to myself up to the Greenwich station. Then some 30-something beta-male plops down all prim and proper with his little maskie.

All is well for the next few miles as I read my Raymond Chandler book ("The Big Sleep"), nursing an extra large Truly hard seltzer while listening to the Deep Tracks station on Sirius/XM. Then I look over at my seat mate because he is noticeably squirming and trying to get my attention. When I look at him, he points at his mask. I look away. Then he squirms again, gets my attention once more and again points to his mask, only this time, more vigorously.

I finally pull one of the earbuds out of my ear and look quizzically at him. Finally he speaks, in a most effeminate kind of way, and tells me that "masks are still required on the trains" and could I "please put one on."

Not wanting to make a scene and attract the attention of the conductor, who I know will be forced to side with the male Karen, I go ahead and put on my germ-ridden face mask and go back to my book.

Two years!

[jackibutterfly]

"...and tells me that "masks are still required on the trains" and could I "please put one on." "

You should have said, "Why? Doesn't YOURS work?" If you think it does, why are you bothering ME? If you think it doesn't, WHY are you wearing it??

[.44 Special]

Try this. Slowly turn your head to the right, fix in them with your left eye. Evidence a very sight repetitive tic. Occasionally lift an eyebrow and gently nod your head up and down, as if your listening to an unsafe voice. Very, very slowly develop a subtle slack-jawed grin. Do this slowly, deliberately while maintaining subtlety. Watch how fast your new fiend leaves the area.

[sauropod]

I would have told him to go entertain himself.

[MayflowerMadam]

Did he have a man bun? (I HATE man buns!)

[GingisK]

Exactly. More than that, who would listen to an AMWAY pitch on the subway? They would quickly scoot away.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

The secret of cottage cheese is that instead of eating it straight, you combine it with other foods that makes them both taste better.

It can substitute well for Ricotta cheese in lasagna, or mixed with other ingredients to stuff baked enchiladas.

It can act as a bed for chilled canned fruit or compote.

With other flavorings, it makes a fine dip for chips.

Cottage cheese pancakes and scrambled eggs.

Cottage cheese Alfredo sauce.

Cottage cheese cheesecake.

[SamAdams76]

I saw the title and immediately thought I had the same exact experience on the MTA last year!

So when I clicked into it, I saw that this was the article I wrote about a year ago on my "Karen" experience on the NYC trains.

Thanks for the bump and the info on cottage cheese. But I'm just not a cottage cheese person.

Thanksfully, I have had no further rude encounters on the NYC commmuter trains and pretty much all of us commuters have ditched the mask. You can always tell the tourists though because they still think you need them in NYC.