Unfortunately in life, being polite doesn’t always guarantee a polite response back, and one man learned that lesson on a nearly empty train platform.

He noticed a woman smoking in a clearly marked no-smoking zone, an area known for issuing fines to offenders, and gently pointed it out, only to get cursed at in return as she declared she’d do whatever she wanted.

Moments later, his rail app flagged a platform change for their shared train. He noticed. She, busy lighting another cigarette, did not.

What happened next unfolded exactly the way you’d expect when karma has perfect timing.

Keep reading for the full story.

Left rude lady standing on railway platform

So this has just happened a few minutes ago, and I’m still on the train trying not to smirk.

I arrived at the almost deserted railway platform and noticed a woman smoking.

This was strictly prohibited, so the commuter quickly took notice.

It is strictly a no smoking zone, with fines issued for offenders if caught. I politely brought this to the lady’s attention, who responded with a few cuss words in between, stating that she’ll do as she wants.

Meanwhile, my rail app informs me that the platform for our due train has changed, and I make my way there.

The smoker, however…

There is no announcement, but just an indication on the screen, which she obviously has not noticed, as she has in the interim lit another cigarette.

I chose not to tell her.

Needless to say, her commute didn’t quite go as planned.

When boarding the train, I noticed from afar that she was still waiting on the wrong platform.

She noticed the change of platform at the last minute, and she rushed down the stairs to where the train was waiting to depart.

The train departed just before she reached the door.

Oh how deliciously satisfying.

What did Reddit have to say?

This lady pretty much radiated that she didn’t care what anyone else had to say.

This user hopes this will be a learning opportunity, although they doubt it.

This commenter shares their experience with a rude smoker.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an artist who made sure to leave the walls of her home blank and boring before moving out, even though they were covered with gorgeous murals before then.

Airports tend to bring out the worst in people.

Cursing out a stranger for a polite heads-up is a bold move to pull right before you need that same stranger’s cooperation five minutes later.

Considering how the rest of their conversation went, he owed her nothing, and honestly, silence was the kinder response compared to what she’d already thrown his way.

Nobody forced her to ignore the platform screen, she did that all on her own, cigarette in hand.

Sometimes karma doesn’t need help, it just needs someone who decides not to interfere.