Unsuck DC Metro: Oh, Poop!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Oh, Poop!

From Casey: On the 52 bus. McDonald's grilled chicken and a dirty diaper. Had to open the window for the smell.

First there was the Red Line sunflower seed eater, then there was the Red Line chicken wing eater. Now, it would appear people think it's acceptable to leave dirty diapers on Metrorail and Metrobus.

Protip: Don't do this.

From Ken:

To the woman who felt the need to change her 2 1/2 year old son's diaper the other afternoon on the Red Line, thank you.

And the rest of the riders especially thank you for leaving the dirty diaper on the train seat, even after your friend told you that there was a trash can right outside the train car in Gallery Place.

Unbelievable!

This was also viewed by @ShelbyinDC, who tweeted the following:

@unsuckdcmetro just off a red line train towards Shadygrove where a woman changed her toddlers diaper & then left it on the train #Gross

Other items:
Ray LaHood steps into Dulles rail row (WaPo)
Transit hub gets second chance (NYTimes via @emilyhaha)
Can a flack unsuck DC Metro? (City Paper)

Comments (58)

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+12 Vote up Vote down

Jill · 721 weeks ago

People are pigs.

+9 Vote up Vote down

ggs · 721 weeks ago

Some people are pigs. Metro seems to have a disproportionate number of them. For that reason (and a dozen others) I officially abandoned Metro today for good. I apologize to the environment, etc. but I couldn't take it any more. An hour stuck in traffic beats 15 minutes on the Metro any day, but especially in the summer!

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+8 Vote up Vote down

Jim · 721 weeks ago

Amen brother...I haven't regretted my decision to stop paying more and more in return for less and less, and I've been at it for about 9 months now!

+8 Vote up Vote down

HurricaneDC 76p · 721 weeks ago

Lucky! I hope to follow in your footsteps sooner rather than later.

+9 Vote up Vote down

· 721 weeks ago

C'mon it's just a dirty diaper! Just kidding. That's one of the most disgusting things I've seen. Used condoms used to top the list.

+10 Vote up Vote down

VeggieTart · 721 weeks ago

Don't insult actual pigs by comparing snotbag slobs to them.

When I worked in a restaurant 20+ years ago, I saw more than once instance where some inconsiderate parent left a used iaper on the TABLE. (Had I caught them I might have asked them to maybe use the bathroom and dispose of the diaper in the trash can.) This was before diaper changing tables popped up in every public restroom, but still!

Glad I've never seen someone doing that on a bus/train when I was riding. I'd give that idiot what-for.

+13 Vote up Vote down

F'n JD · 721 weeks ago

Why did you not take a picture of the woman and post it for the rest of us to condemn her in person for the next few years?

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

+2 Vote up Vote down

Luci · 721 weeks ago

Or at least she could have been added to the wall of shame!

+6 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

Last week I was waiting for a Green Line train at Fort Totten. A girl sat down next to me with a large paper bag and started eating something from it. The bag was full of crab legs. At least she wasn't dipping them in butter and it was in the station instead of on the train. But still - can't people wait until they get home?

+16 Vote up Vote down

Soylent Green Line · 721 weeks ago

"Unbelievable" is no longer a word I associate with Metro. That goes for the riders, the union, and the management - an unholy trinity that is inexorably making me an unrepentant misanthrope.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

0 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

I take it you don't ride metro

-5 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

you should be very careful about advertising your misanthropic ambitions, makes me think you are a hop,skip and jump from a lifetime membership in a vigilance committee. scares me t o think who unsuck would employ.

+6 Vote up Vote down

Soylent Green Line · 721 weeks ago

Oh, trust me if I could change my ways I would (i.e. by biking or driving). Fortunately for you, WMATA is also turning me into a nihilist, so you won't have to worry about me joining any committees.

-9 Vote up Vote down

KWM · 721 weeks ago

As a mom I can tell you sometimes you've just got to do what you've got to do... especially when you've been waiting for a train forever with an ancy 7 month old. BUT, leaving the diaper in the train/bus is truly gross. That said, I've seen way worse in bathrooms along various interstates. Humans are disgusting. Period.

30 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+20 Vote up Vote down

lmnop · 721 weeks ago

If you are that desperate to change a diaper, you need to get off the train/bus. You and your toddler's convenience are not more important than anyone around you.

Typical metro rider thinking his or her needs are somehow more important than everyone else's.

-14 Vote up Vote down

KWM · 721 weeks ago

Yes, and that's naturally always possible when we're holding "momentarily" (i.e., terminally) outside of Vienna Station. I'm sorry, the health of my child will always come first.

For the record, I had to do this exactly ONCE, and under the EXACT circumstances I describe above. I cleaned up after myself and my daughter, and left absolutely NOTHING behind.

How about if you consider what you're saying before you say it?

+13 Vote up Vote down

*** · 721 weeks ago

Attack of the Mombie! No one is safe except her f**k trophy!

Seriously lady, the train is not your personal changing station. Have some regard for the people around you.

-14 Vote up Vote down

KWM · 721 weeks ago

You are very very sad people.

+10 Vote up Vote down

FKWM · 721 weeks ago

And you are a delusional parent with absolutely no respect for other people.

-11 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

KWM, yes indeed they are very sad people, I agree with you completly... these same sad people will some day be in a "depends' situation and they will most definently do some reaping.

+6 Vote up Vote down

FKWM · 721 weeks ago

http://stfuparents.tumblr.com/

+2 Vote up Vote down

FKWM · 721 weeks ago

http://stfuparents.tumblr.com/

+18 Vote up Vote down

Ugh · 721 weeks ago

Health? What is wrong with your child that you can't wait two minutes to clean up, but instead have to expose the rest of the passengers to biohazardous waste?

+9 Vote up Vote down

^^^^^ · 721 weeks ago

How about you consider taking that sh*t to a public bathroom?!?

+10 Vote up Vote down

anon · 721 weeks ago

" I'm sorry, the health of my child will always come first. "

Good point! From now on, if I'm not sure I can hold it until the bus stops and I can get to a bathroom, I'm going to drop my trou and take a dump RIGHT THERE. Because, you see, my health comes first. Don't want it to back up and eat my brains!

+1 Vote up Vote down

WMN · 721 weeks ago

And did you use hand sanitizer afterwards and wipe down whatever surface you were using? If not, you are being UNBELIEVABLY selfish and oblivious to the legitimate health concerns here.

-14 Vote up Vote down

KWM · 721 weeks ago

And further, I'll bet you were one of the subjectively blind metro patrons who looked right at me when I was HUGELY pregnant last summer and right back down at your paper/ipod/book rather than offer me a seat. It would figure. Just remember that you reap what you sow.

+5 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

Yes yes, you were the one who made the choice to become pregnant and now the world starts and stops for you?

-4 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

Yes it should stop and start for us, why you ask? because the little darlings pooping today will be the kind young people tollerating your druling, farting, pooping etc and probably prescriping meds for you.

+8 Vote up Vote down

FKWM · 721 weeks ago

....and maybe even elementary school teachers who teach proper spelling and grammar!

+17 Vote up Vote down

FKWM · 721 weeks ago

I'd also say it's a safe bet that a child raised by a parent who thinks a public bus is an acceptable place to change a dirty diaper will most likely grow up to be an inconsiderate asshole whose greatest achievement in life will be having a child (just like their mom!). Seriously people, I know that it might be hard to tell the difference if you're on a Metro bus, but this isn't a third world country....if you need to do anything inolving human waste, go to bathroom.

-10 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

Ha Ha Ha Mine are all grown, Im proud of them, all professional...... They have no need to resent what Metro people earn.

+6 Vote up Vote down

Not impressed · 721 weeks ago

Fine fine...you say that your kids are all professionals, but what is it that YOU'VE done? Did you mary rich and then pop out a few kids? Not impressed...

+17 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 721 weeks ago

Ignoring your need for a seat is not quite the same a exposing innocent riders to the dangers of poop. Ever heard of typhoid? And yes, I have changed many a diaper myself. I'd never do it on a train, plane, bus or other public seat.

+15 Vote up Vote down

lmnop · 721 weeks ago

Funny you should say that. I am actually pregnant right now. Sometimes people are nice and get up and give up their seat. But realistically, pregnancy is not a disability. I have noticed people look at me and go back to what they are doing and I remember that I am the one carrying this child and not anyone else on the train/bus. So I have to be considerate of them and not rude.

But once again, your sense of entitlement shines through.

-8 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

That would be the entitlement of the child.. Never the best to change your child in public but sometimes necessary. Leaving a diaper behind, never correct. but when it comes to changing the child, sorry but it is "best interest of the child" and always will be. Focus on the diaper left behind, that is all you realy have here.

+9 Vote up Vote down

James · 721 weeks ago

I'd say that it would be in 'the best interest of the child' not to be raised by a backwoods hillbilly who can't put two and two together, get off at the next stop to find a public bathroom. Guest, I'm sure you've seen the busses who run red lights, merge into lanes without signaling, or randomly floor the gas or slam on the breaks depending on the situation. Do you really think trying to balance a child on your lap or a seat while in a moving vehicle packed with other people is a safe thing to do??

-7 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 721 weeks ago

That is where the "never the best" part comes in.. re-read. I guess the "Backwoods Hillbilly "is the nasty thing you people like to add when you are feeling defeated, or even foolish. you sound foolish.

+10 Vote up Vote down

Sam D. · 721 weeks ago

Anyone arguing that it's ok to change a diaper in a moving vehicle is the foolish one. This one sounds like she belongs on that stfu parents site somebody posted above!

+11 Vote up Vote down

Becky · 721 weeks ago

How on earth is it 'necessary' to change a baby on a bus that's traveling through a city street? Get off the bus, go to a bathroom, and change your child. There are only two types of people who would do this: 1) A mombie with absolutely no respect for other people, or 2) an INCREDIBLY lazy person who can't be troubled to take five minutes to duck into a McDonalds.

+16 Vote up Vote down

Soylent Green Line · 721 weeks ago

Hello,

I'm a young, educated, and by-no-means affluent daily WMATA commuter.

The site of you and your broodling does not disgust me, so long as it adheres to the Victorian ethos and remains seen (if absolutely necessary) and not heard.

But if I ever see you actually changing the pride of your loins on any moving WMATA vehicle, I reserve the right to be disgusted, to pity you, and to make mean jokes about the joys of parenting later.

That is all.

+4 Vote up Vote down

FocusOnTheDiaper · 721 weeks ago

No diaper left behind!

+4 Vote up Vote down

anon · 721 weeks ago

Hugely? Are you sure you weren't just fat?

It's kind of funny, isn't it; people choose to become pregnant and expect to be treated like queens*, whereas other people may be fat through no fault of their own** and are always vilified.

*Definitely not every pregnant woman, but this one here..

**Many people are fat because of their own sloth or gluttony, but plenty of others have genetic or other diseases/disorders.

+18 Vote up Vote down

Tara · 721 weeks ago

Are you kidding me? "You've just got to do what you've got to do?" What you've got to do lady, is find a friggin' bathroom!

+3 Vote up Vote down

JoeB · 721 weeks ago

McDonald's just released 4 new sauces nationally:
Sweet Chili
Honey Mustard
Spicy Buffalo
Creamy Ranch
They are piloting a possible sauce in the DC area under the auspices of WMATA....
Babysmelts...

+10 Vote up Vote down

One take · 721 weeks ago

Who leaves a dirty diaper on a bus or metro train? Some people are just selfish, inconsiderate revolting animals who think the world is there to serve them. Why didn't the parent to whom this dirty diaper belonged to take it with him/her? Disgusting!!!! Retch!

This ‘parent’ should be fined significantly. This is a health issue.

“Your Child – Your Diaper – Your Crap!” And take your nasty McCoronary Fast Food crap with you too.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Radner · 721 weeks ago

There is an upside to this: at least the poop was contained.

(Toads, your letting us down by withholding all your potty humor.)

+3 Vote up Vote down

JoeB · 721 weeks ago

P in Doritos bags, C** on clothes, blood on seats, S*** on the floor..... I think all bodily fluids have been featured on this blog and in this system

+14 Vote up Vote down

Wouldratherdrive · 721 weeks ago

I am sorry - the kid will not die if he or she sits in a poopie diaper until the next station. That is just rude and inconsiderate. The entitlement mommies of this generation disgust me. No one used to even dream of doing something like that on public transportation. How is this necessary for the "health of your child"?? Please! You have got to be kidding me!!! What about the rest of the train's health as your subject us in what amounts to a tin can with seats, to your child's poopie smells and germs all over the seat and everything you touch? You can't possibly wait to get off the train and change the diaper somewhere more appropriate...um... like a restroom? Not all women and not all mothers (thankfully) subscribe to this self centered nonsense. But believe me - kids in tow, I would give you a piece of my mind if you um... pulled that crap on a train or bus I was in - oh and I would also have no qualms about picking up and shoving the filthy diaper you left behind in your purse, snack bag, jacket or stroller as you got off.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+9 Vote up Vote down

Tim · 721 weeks ago

Amen! I think over the past five or six years there's been a deluge of parents like this who think that anything involving their kid is ok. Whether it's changing diapers in public, taking their kids to bars, or thinking that it's perfectly ok to sit in a crowded restaurant with their screaming toddler and not take the kid outside or to the bathroom. Having kids is a choice and you are NOT entitled to impose that choice on everyone else.

+1 Vote up Vote down

unhealthy · 721 weeks ago

Parents are lucky no one is filming their child's privates while they change him or her on public transportation and placing photos/videos on a kiddie porn site.

Just another reason not to change a child in public.

+9 Vote up Vote down

Frequent metro rider · 721 weeks ago

I have actually seen someone change a diaper on the red line. Even though she cleaned everything up and took the diaper with her, it was still unsettling. Did she thoroughly wipe down the area in the chance that something accidentally touched a seat where dozens of people will sit? My guess is no. Metro stations have bathrooms for purposes such as these. Yes, the thought of a public restroom makes me absolutely sick, but they have to be safer than those filthy trains. Not only are you putting riders at risk, you are putting your child at risk. I have also seen many people change diapers at bus bays, with a crowd of people around while there were empty bus bays nearby.

+3 Vote up Vote down

kotcha · 721 weeks ago

This would be especially nice if she left it on one of the cars with no a/c.

-3 Vote up Vote down

KWM · 721 weeks ago

Part 1: Wow, when the comments yesterday started getting rude and unconstructive, I stopped reading. I really wish I hadn't come back today.
To answer a couple of questions and clarify a couple of things: First, I'm in total agreement that leaving a dirty diaper in a public place is beyond gross, as I said in my original post. I'm not advocating what happened in the photo above. Further, she's not a toddler, she's a 7 month old infant. Yes, I used hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipes on all surfaces after I was done, as is my practice no matter where I am. I placed my baby girl on a changing pad that I take with me everywhere to do the job. No contact with any train car surfaces whatsoever. I also placed my dirty diaper in a disposable dirty diaper bag, which I deposited in a trash can at the exit of the Vienna metro station.

-3 Vote up Vote down

KWM · 721 weeks ago

Part 2: If you had read my post carefully, you would have seen that it wasn't a matter of "a few minutes". We were sitting for quite a while just outside of Vienna or Dunn Loring (I forget which). It was either change her diaper (FYI: there was no poop) or have a screaming baby on the car. If I’d decided to wait, I’m sure you’d be complaining about the noise instead.
It's really a shame, as I thought this blog was about discussing problems with Metro (including its riders) not about bashing one woman who had to take care of her child in difficult circumstances. It appears from this stream that most of you don't want to have a real discussion about these issues, much less come up with any real solutions -- you just want to whine and complain and say hurtful things.
I can't speak for the person who left that diaper on that bus in the photo -- if I'd seen it happen, I would have said something to him or her. In fact, I have done just that on numerous occasions. How many of you can say that?

-2 Vote up Vote down

KWM · 721 weeks ago

Part 3: Some of the comments here were unnecessarily vile, and frankly quite disgusting. It's a baby, not a bomb. No, I don't expect the world to revolve around me or her, but a little common sense, and courtesy, and consideration for someone other than yourselves would have been nice. I THOUGHT that was one of the goals of this blog. I THOUGHT that was what my fellow metro riders wanted for themselves and each other, but I can see now that I was wrong. Enjoy your whining people. You deserve each other. I won't ever waste another moment of my life reading your silly comments again. Life is too short..
And for the handful of gallant, brave people who dared give me the benefit of the doubt in your comments above, I thank you with all my heart, and I'm deeply sorry for any abuse that was heaped upon you by the other commenters as a result.