Monday 7 July 2008

You fuck off!

There is a particularly tedious tramp that frequents the main train station and pesters travellers for change or cigarettes or anything else that they are willing to part with. In the evening he is often to be seen swigging vodka and singing patriotic songs, or being chased by one of the kiosk or cafe owners after having pissed too close to their premises. I once saw him being batted over the head with a frying pan by one fierce looking waitress... it looked liked a scene from a slapstick comedy.

Rushing for a train and at the end of a stressful day, I was in no mood when he duly accosted me for a few bob and told him in English to fuck off, at which he turned on me and shouted "You fuck off!" It's not like me to be so rude, and I only speak English when I'm tired and usually in a situation where it's unlikely that I'd be understood. The tramp's reaction (and diction!) surprised me, so much so that I slung him a couple of quid before boarding the express to Warsaw.