Tag Archives: earbuds

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Don’t stink up the place.  Uh, yeah.  Washing before boarding? That would be great.
4. 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.
5. 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