Today on Twitter, there’s a trending topic called:
ThingsNotToDoOnPublicTransportation
This is a subject near and dear to my heart, because public transportation has been a way of life for me since I moved to Boston way back in 2000.
I took one look at the parking situation, sold my car, and vowed to walk, take the subway or hail a cab for all my transportation needs.
I’m in New York City now and haven’t regretted a day.
That being said, public transportation does put you ‘up close and personal’ with people — some you want to meet, some you don’t. It doesn’t bother me overmuch, but for the people on Twitter today, their comments have some recurring themes:
- Don’t sit next to me. Let’s face it — sometimes you don’t have a choice. But when the bus or subway is empty, and a person sits right next to you? Yeah…that’s creepy.
- Don’t play loud music. I feel this one. And we’re not talking the guy with the big boombox or the singers panhandling for change. We’re talking the folks with their iPods on and earbuds in… and it’s still too loud. Future deaf people.
- Don’t stink up the place. Uh, yeah. Washing before boarding? That would be great.
- Don’t take up two seats. Sometimes that is a simple matter of girth. But when the train is crowded and you’re using seats for your backpack. Rude.
- Don’t make eye contact. Hate to admit it, but I am a serious violator. I like to look around at people. If I catch someone’s eye — and they don’t scare me — I smile.
Perhaps I should start a new trending topic:
ThingsSouthernersDoOnPublicTransportation
im the same i always smile if i consider them to be a low murder risk
Low murder risk – I love it!
Constantly see the seat for me and seat for my luggage, backpack, soda, newspaper at the airports these days. Even when they see people standing and sitting on the floor or people walking through looking for a seat. Rude!
People doing #4 drive me crazy. Years ago, I physically moved someone’s backpack (since she was ignoring my queries in favor of listening to her Walkman) so an older lady could sit down.
Yep, real important, lady, that your sensitive backpack be allowed some rest! ><
My biggest problem was with some of the weirdos leering and/or touching themselves while looking at people on the bus. I was normally happy to take the bus while in law school, but there were a couple of times I wished I had the money for a car. (Oh, yeah? And dude who accused me of tempting him with my fully covered legs? Good times. No wonder there are some women-only train cars in Japan.)
Women-only cars? That’s a new one on me. Interesting…