Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Politeness on public transport...

It's funny how people manage to lose any etiquette when using the London Underground. People barge onto the train when they should allow others to get off first and make way. Then there's the smelly folk who seem to lack any skills in knowing what deoderant is or make use of a bath or shower and for some reason they always seem to end up standing or leaning next to you.
If that's not enough you get constant updates over the tannoy about how good the service is, ironically it just so happens your train is the only one that doesn't seem to be where it should be when you want it to.
You then ask the helpful members of staff who tell you something other than what they or their colleagues have just mentioned over the tannoy system. (At least we're not the only ones kept in the dark - I guess it's after being surrounded by the tubes and black holes).
I can't wait for the air conditioning to be introduced into the trains as it seems long overdue particularly when its summer.
Today I got lumbered with the fun of someone who was coughing their lungs up but couldn't be bothered to cover their mouths to prevent any bugs from spreading.
After this I was then stuck next to someone who seemed to have a problem with someone on the phone, only to discover that the phone wasn't working and they were just talking to their imaginary friend and muttering over and over 'the problems of Africa' before laughing out loud and telling whoever cared to listen that they were cracking up. I guess the term 'no shit Sherlock' springs to mind, but I was just glad to get off the train and make my way to work... a rare instance there indeed! I guess it goes to show tolerance levels and thresholds.
The ironic thing is not only do you get subjected to most if not all of the above when on the Underground, you get to also pay for the pleasure. What adds even more insult to injury - the increase in the charges!
Also what's the deal with all the advertising on the underground? Not only do you get stuck on the train but the only distraction from those around you looking either excited (clearly new to using the system) or those blanking you and/or staring at you like an axe murderer (probably a well established tube user) are the adverts on the platform or on the train itself. Surely the advertising should make the tickets cheaper?
Also I forgot to mention, what about the funny folk all trying to avoid interaction with others by reading a book or working out how to read a newspaper without instigating a fight or worse, crumpling their paper.
The Underground... a necessary evil I agree but an evil none the less!

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