transit etiquette
taking the bus and skytrain is an integral part of my life as a student...and for those of us who do that day to day, we can all identify with the little issues and annoyances that come up...and how much they affect us.
a few thoughts about people who do not know how to properly behave on the bus/skytrain:
1) chatting loudly on your cellphone while on the bus is inappropriate and distracting. do i care about how much you love your boyfriend? how much your last pair of jeans were? how embarrassed you are for gaining a few pounds? unless i haven't made it clear before: NO, I DO NOT CARE. if i can still hear you while blasting my music, you are TOO LOUD.
2) please don't "dry" your umbrella while people are walking towards your direction on the bus...do i wish to feel the rain you've accumulated splashed upon my face? can i answer that with: do you wish for me to spit in yours?
3) when asked to "go towards the back of the bus"...GO TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE BUS. people are tired and want to go home! can we not try to make sure as many people get on as possible?
4) if you're going to "date" on the bus...cuddle, kiss, STICK YOUR TONGUES INTO EACH OTHER'S THROATS...do not do it in front of me. or ANYONE. is this a romantic setting for you? a lovely stench of sweat and humidity? the assimilation of various types of B.O? do such things turn you on?
alright. enough negativity. now for some hints on how to survive on transit.
1) always sit towards the back of the bus. this ensures that you won't have to give up your seat for anyone. if you are getting off early, sit somewhere that allows you to get off without having to climb over anyone (such as seats facing the side of the bus), or on the exterior seats.
2) feeling antisocial? not a problem! the headphone is the official symbol of "leave me alone...i don't want to talk to you". to further ensure that the person you wish to avoid doesn't come and chat with you, CLOSE YOUR EYES. when you pretend to sleep, and have your headphones on, NO ONE CAN DISTURB YOU.
3) an elaboration on the last point. if you wish to greet someone briefly(you want to be polite...but don't want their life stories), take off one of your earphones. this demonstrates a certain nonchalance about your meeting and establishes the short amount of time in which you wish to talk. make sure to smile after the conversation has come to a pause, and put on your earphones again.
alrighty...that is all for now...when i think of more, i will let you all know.
don't you love my crazy angry side?
posted by vespertine @ 9:44 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I have the same angry side and am fortunate (or unfortunate) that bussing to work is a non-option for me these days. I have to say that closing your eyes isn't always foolproof. My fave story about bus dummies is that once, when I was sleeping (actually sleeping!) on the bus, a guy I barely knew WOKE ME UP to say "Hi ... how's it going? You look tired." YOU ARE KIDDING ME, RIGHT?? Ugh. I was so shocked, I didn't know how to react.
Your anger is understood. I have a friend (from Bethel) who recently vented bus rage. Let me introduce you: http://mayhap.wordpress.com/2006/10/12/rush-hour-stupidity/
(may saw my 'conversion' to wordpress...and then she went wild!! she's kept her blog nice and tidy...)
hmm... your first thought reminded me of the infamous "bus uncle" in HK. next time this happens, perhaps you want to try what the young man did -- confront the "bus uncle" -- and see what happens next. it'd be fun, no? ;)
Thanks Jason for pointing this post out.Thanks Elaine for this therapeutic, hilarious read. I totally get you!! The running script in your head is mine too!! Glad to know I'm not the only one with sense.
Etiquette is like a quaint idea that many people forget
instead choosing convenience (ie. what's convenient to them) over manners
which is really really stupid
Might I add people who don't take off their huge backpacks and let people through?
in terms of the question posted before... in the end we all have to live with our mistakes, whether it be the consequence of or a simple reminder. It's almost like packing mules, and I tend to acclimate myself to the carrying of the burden, so the question of whether bearing mistakes being overwhelming is ... less of a problem
Oh my, how I rant. We must get me drunk soon ;)
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