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The chance to read, the fact that it's so much better than being stuck in
traffic and of course, being able to get to work in half the time it takes to
get there by car.
But, that's not to say it's all unicorns and sparkly rainbows.
In fact, considering that I've been making use of the train since 2006, I'd say
that I've had a fair amount of time to observe a myriad of things that have
become more than a passing irritation.
There are many things that are frustrating about making use of the train as a
means of transport, but the number one on my list of things that annoy the
living daylights out of me are:
People who get on the train before giving other people a chance to get off
If ever there was something that could get me into rage mode from zero to
thirty seconds, then it's this. It's not rocket science, folks. People getting off at their designated stop
should be given preference - you who are waiting to get in – you can
always take the next train to your destination.
Not giving people a chance to disembark forces them to get off at the next
stop, only to have to change platforms in order to take a train back to their
original destination.
Pushing your way into the train while others are still getting off, is not just
inconsiderate, but it's also BLOODY rude.
On the flipside of the coin, there's those people who don't give way when
others need to get out of the carriage.
Unless the carriage is ridiculously full, it goes without saying that you
should move out of the way when people are getting out. And even when the train
is full, don't shuffle one or two centimetres to this side or that - get out of
the train to make way for those who want to get out.
You are indirectly responsible for the people who force
(aka bumrush) their way into
the train.
How, you may ask? The equation works a little like this:
1. You're there in the train moving at a rate that's slower than a tortoise
walking in peanut butter,
2. This causes the panicked people behind to force their way through -
inevitably causing delays;
3. Combine point 1 and 2 and the result you get out of this is the frantic
people outside who force their way inside, while the other passengers are still
trying to get out.
People who play loud music on the train
Um, earphones were invented for a reason. Use it, because not everybody wants
to listen to the same music that you do. Especially not in the morning, when
most of us are grumpy, barely awake and haven't even had our first cup of
coffee yet.
It's like you're begging for a punch in the face or something.
And while we're at it, if you're using headphones, why must you play it
at top volume? You could just as well be playing music without it - because,
here's a fact that you may have probably missed out on - WE CAN STILL HEAR your
music.
Also, what is wrong with you? Do you want to go deaf?
Window seat avoiders
Ooh. My next kind of favourite people found in the train.
If, in the event, you're lucky enough to get a seat in the morning, you often
find that you have to lift your legs sky high to move past them to get to the
window seat.
Why can't you just move?
I know the argument here is that some of you may be getting off at the next
stop, which is fair enough, but more often than not, I see people sitting down
in the aisle seat right from the start.
Unless you're blind, have a bad leg, or anything that incapacitates you - and
which means sitting in the aisle seat is a necessity for you - I don't see why
you can't sit in the window seat. Besides, sitting there means you don't have
to be near to the people who stand in the aisles, brushing and rubbing up
against you.
In fact, that's why I aim for the window seat.
"Hey, your backpack is in my face."
There are many days when it's just impossible to get a seat in the train. As a
result, you're forced to stand.
Now, usually, when trains are full, I often
skip to avoid being squashed up against the door, but unfortunately, there are
days when I get into a relatively empty train, only to have it fill up within
the next two station stops.
And here is where the problem comes in. The people who often tend to get on (or
are already standing when others get in), tend to have these gargantuan-sized
backpacks on their backs. What's worse is that most of them don't seem to
realise how much space it takes up and how inconsiderate it is towards others.
Yes, yes, yes - you paid for a spot on the train, but so did we - and you can
try to help by being a little more accommodating. I understand and get the need
to protect your possessions, but surely you can easily get a lock for your
zips, place your bag and on the floor and trap it between your legs?
Not only will you avoid inadvertently face-smacking someone with your backpack,
but you'd also be making a little more room for everyone else to breathe.
What's on your list of train-travelling grievances? Share yours below.
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