You know what I don’t understand? When strangers come up and try to start a conversation with, “you seem to be having a bad day!” I’ve been accosted on the street countless times by strangers who tell me to “smile!”, or by guys in bars who use the pick-up line, “well you don’t look like you’re having any fun!”

I suppose they are trying to be friendly, but honestly, if you can see that someone is lost in thought then why would you bother them? What kind of reaction are you expecting to provoke?

Last night I was crouched the platform of Town Hall Station, listening to music on my ipod and feeling like I was about to fall asleep. It was around midnight, I’d worked all day and then gone out to a few different places. I really just wanted to get home. Suddenly, I was brought out of my reverie by a pair of hands waving obnoxiously in my face. I looked up and saw a guy in business attire with a huge grin on his face.

“You look like you’re having a bad night!” He accused.
I pulled out one of my earphones. “Huh?”
“You look pretty angry eh?!”
“Uhh yeah…” I replied. “I’m tired?”
He must have realised that I wouldn’t play along, but was stuck chatting anyway. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you tired?”

I didn’t know what to say. Should I go into the details of my long and exhausting day/night? Should I explain that I had gone out to see some bands, only to realise I had no cash on me, was denied by three different ATMS around the city because of a Westpac banking issue, then have to borrow my boyfriend’s house key and catch the train home alone? Would this guy REALLY be interested?

So instead I just said. “Um, mate, really don’t want to talk about it okay?”
“Bloody Sydney!” He exclaimed, still grinning awkwardly as he walked away. “No one ever wants to…” He trailed off and called out from over his shoulder. “Have a good night!”

Then I sat there agonising over the exchange until the train arrived because even though I hate being rude, I totally couldn’t understand what had even happened and why?