Public Transport Minutiae

Public transportation interests me greatly. Not because the lives of millions of people depend on it in some cities, nor because people from all backgrounds, cultures, and economical status are brought together for a common purpose. A subway car may indeed be the best representation of a city you can get (since cities are divided in a socioeconomic manner), but that is not my fascination either. I happen to be pulled in by more unusual topics, maybe best described as minutiae.

I think an overlooked topic on public transportation has to do with general behavior. Have you ever noticed how some people purposely sit in a certain way in order to lessen the chance that someone takes the adjacent seat? The methods include slouching excessively, putting feet up on a seat, sitting in the middle of 2 seats as to take up half of each one, or giving a bag it’s own accommodation.

It’s quite a ridiculous move really, but we have all been guilty of it at some time. I even once faked sleeping on a plane with my bag in the other seat, while new passengers got on. That way people wouldn’t bother waking me up to ask me if the seat was taken. What? Those seats are far too cramped to have a large person leaning over me for 3 hours. I only pull out the stops when I really need it though. I even find it funny how people ask if they can sit next to you. “Excuse me. Is this seat taken?” I feel like answering “No, but I don’t really want anyone sitting next to me”. If I need a seat, instead of asking the generic question when someone is trying some seat maneuver, I might call them out and say, “Listen buddy, I know you left your jacket on the seat so that no one would sit here, but I’m onto you. I see right through your strategy”. This would make for excellent shock effect. It’s really amazing to see what people try if you are perceptive so try it. Another good one I’ve seen is a guy sprawling himself out with arms extended across the next seat. This is a real good deterrent.

I’m also always wondering what other people are thinking about in their commute. As a rider, one exchanges many an unintentional glance as well as some intentional stares. If you are like me, you speculate how that person is sizing you up and what is going on in their mind, knowing that conversation is unlikely.

So imagine yourself on that train for a moment, exchanging glances off and on with someone�

They could be judging you at this moment, trying to piece together your life. But how much can they really deduce from your appearance and mere presence? Maybe not much, but they will try anyways. “I know this kid has never faced a tough day in his life. Look at him in his preppy clothing, with an air of smugness in his posture, believing he is a better person than everyone on here”. Or “Look at this misfit in his baggy clothing. Just exactly who does he think he’s impressing, trying to be so tough? He’s headed nowhere in life, I mean he probably doesn’t even have the ambition to better himself. So low class.”

Ok, so these examples could be considered a little extreme, but impressions are formed subconsciously. Your brain uses stereotypes from a person’s appearance because it would take far too long to actually get to know this person. That’s why assumptions are made. It can be harsh, but now that you are more aware of it, you are less likely to assume and generalize. I know you, my knowledgeable reader already knew that, but it is something to think about because you are not always caged up in the judgment zone like that.

You might be somewhat uncomfortable after realizing that all this judging is going on. It happens everywhere, but perhaps more so, on the train where people aren’t so busy. And whether you want to admit it or not, you are judging too. But even when we aren’t judging, people on the train have got to be thinking about something. You rarely get to watch people so quiet and just standing or sitting there thinking. I read a statistic in the Metro that in London , something like 60% of women admits thinking about their sex lives while riding the Tube. It’s interesting because this is probably the only time that women think more about sex than guys. When I read this I was intrigued and looked around the crowded train. “So about half of the women on this T could be pondering their sex lives at this moment? Cool.” I thought. Now others will be different. People may be thinking about stressful issues in their lives or looking forward to that vacation coming up. I’m curious about these things so that’s why I’d pay to be privy to this information.

So instead of throwing on music next time, read a book and take some breaks to just observe. You’ll come up with your own unique observations and realize things that you hadn’t before. Besides, people-watching is a captivating activity and people are interesting creatures.