I had to travel to central London last week. I haven't worn a mask since the start of this rubbish, but I was a little worried about the reaction from others. I'd seen, as I'm sure others have, a video on youtube a couple of months ago where an ugly fat thug waiting on the underground, mouthed off at a woman who was not wearing a mask. He was intimidating to put it mildly. From what I could see, he appeared to be about eighteen inches from the platform edge, with his back to the tracks, as he mouthed off at her. I remember thinking when I saw that, just how satisfying it would be, to propel that globule of lard backwards and end his rant once and for all. And how tempting...
For that reason, and that reason alone, I wore a paper mask under my nose, on the 30 minute journey. I needn't have worried in the event - the entire tube network seemed devoid of human life.
Returning home, I called in at Brent Cross shopping centre and I'd actually forgotten I had the stupid thing on. Ascending the escalator, I noticed a thirtyish guy standing on the floor that I was leaving, not wearing a mask. I looked at him briefly, studying him and those around him - basically admiring his stance. He saw me looking. And he shot back such a glare that I felt ashamed. He'd assumed I was staring because I disapproved. And he made it clear - he disapproved of my apparent disapproval.
And I realised for the first time at that moment, all those times I've shot back glares at people who have stared at me, because I go maskless, the reason why they look away so quickly. It's not hatred of me because I'm not obeying 'orders.' They're ashamed they don't have the guts to do the same.
So - don't be afraid of going maskless: the stares you get are mainly from admirers.
There's definitely some truth in this. For the first week of mandate, despite having asthma, I tried wearing a mask just to avoid confrontation (yes, I know and am ashamed of it - I don't know what was going through my head). I remember giving unmasked people dirty looks a few times, just out of sheer jealousy ,if I'm honest. After just over a week of that I gave myself a good talking to and threw my masks away.
My point is that it may indeed be jealousy/grudging admiration when someone gives a non-masker a funny look and that not wearing one genuinely can encourage others.
Agree. A couple of weeks ago I was on holiday in Czech Republic. I went to a supermarket for groceries with no mask, despite knowing I will be confronted. When I was queuing at the till a huge security guard approached me and told me to put the mask on or leave. I very politely told him iam paying and leaving anyway so he somehow accepted it. The supermarket was full of people and I haven't seen anyone without a mask. When I was paying at the till, a young cashier looked at me and said:I envy you. She is forced to have it all day long, or she loose her job. I was quite sad that evening what world iam living..
UKFM & Rita - I agree too. That's a positive and welcome. What's needed now is that final push which will hopefully come soon. Quite a lot is happening and the natives are also getting restless - I am watching this space, and who knows we may get an opportunity to have a well earned Happy Christmas. Well! you gotta keep positive.😁
Yes i think the same. Was it just the underground u travelled on?