I am confused by Tube etiquette. In Ireland, the volume of people is never so great and quite frankly no one is ever in such a rush to be somewhere. But why, oh why, do people move to the most densely populated city in the UK if they are afraid to share space with others?
True, I become upset with the state of mankind when rude and obnoxious commuters show no common courtesy and even seem to relish being difficult and irrational when it comes to space on the tubes, trains and buses. But more specifically, I am amazed everyday by the absence of common sense and seemingly illogical actions of my fellow Londoners. The most bizarre offenders include…
• Seat Hoggers- frankly stupid human beings who think they can take up 2 or even 3 seats with their stuff while others stand
• Outsiders- anti-social losers who sit in the outer seat and then huff and sigh when someone needs to sit in the empty seat. Is it difficult to slide across to the window seat and leave an accessible space?
• Blockers- (in my opinion the worst offenders) get on a crowded train in rush hour and then just stand in the door way. Presumably they can see the many other commuters who need to get on just like they can also see the empty space in the aisle. Yet, they wait until they are actually asked to move down.
• Blockers 2- in freak cases, this particularly useless specimen will stand rooted to the spot while more considerate commuters squeeze past them into the empty space. Seriously, take the hint.
• The Selfish Seated- although I am no feminist, I have never expected a man to donate his seat on public transport purely because I am female. On the other hand, I have stood incredulous whilst heavily pregnant women have been forced to stand on uncomfortable journeys. Rude? Yes. Just plain weird? Absolutely.
Nicola Blemings
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