(As experienced on London transport)
Number 5: Impatience – This one is number 5 because I’m sure we’re all guilty of it, and realistically I think everyone is entitled to a little impatience every now and then. What annoys me is when people make it loudly known that they’re impatient, like the dude this morning who was loudly cursing the district line using lots of colourful words which were not appropriate for young children.
Number 4: Arrogance – Kristy and I were standing on the platform at Chiswick Park yesterday, waiting for the freakin District line which we’d missed by like, two freakin minutes. Then, for no particular reason, this dude wanders up the stairs, over to our direction, and stands directly in front of us! I mean, the platform was starting to fill up, but there were a lot of other places he could have stood. I should have said something, but instead I just did the English thing – huffed loudly and shook my head.
Another one that happens all the time and really kills my goat (or whatever that expression is supposed to be) is when people rush to get in front of me on a crowded platform/staircase, and then insist on walking at a very slow, relaxed pace. Everyone knows how much I get ticked off by slow walkers – but actually cutting me off first? That’s taking it to a whole new level.
Number 3: Inconsideration – Why oh why do teenagers insist on playing their crap-rap music through the speaker in their mobile phone? It sounds terrible – not only because all their pathetic music choices sound the same – but the speaker in a mobile phone is not exactly designed for hi-fidelity music. Anyway – the point of the story – people who have no consideration for others around them should be thrown off the tube/bus/high speed boat.
Number 2: Ignorance – This one is similar to point number 3, however I feel it’s even worse – not only do some people have no consideration for other people around them, but they don’t even realise how inconsiderate they’re being! This covers the clever folks who feel the best place to gather their belongings is the top of a crowded escalator, or the best time to find their oyster card is when they’re standing in front of the gates.
Number 1: Idiots – This is more of a class of instead of an individual quality. I figure that folks who exhibit two or more of the behaviours above fall squarely in this category, and unfortunately there’s a lot of them.
I guess that’s the joys of taking public transport in a Metropolis.
. But I’m wondering why you still need a scanner? I have downloaded a great scanner app for my phone so I just take...
9 comments
Even the drivers are impatient! This morning I was on the district line and the driver kept dissin’ the Piccadilly line on the speakers. i.e. “Sorry ladies and gentleman but we are stuck here because the Piccadilly line is clogging up at the platforms once again …” and “Sorry ladies and gentlemen for the delay but we have to wait for a passengers to get off the Piccadilly line because there is a lack of drivers for the train … “. He was getting so angry over the microphone. At least *he* wasn’t late for work (again)
I think every public transport system in a major town or city is the same – no matter where you are there will be idiots!
This morning on my trip to work I encountered multiple people who exhibit the same characteristics as you have just described.
My other favourite is the ones who rush past everyone to get on the train, but then stand squarely infront of the door blocking all the others from getting in.
And i think the phrase you were after is: gets your goat
kill my goat! classic!
I hate people too…
I’m with Shelley
people are the worst!
To counter by using a well known phrase:-
people don’t kill, people do!
particularly liked your point about the bloke who stood in front of you at the station. happens a lot. did i tell you about the woman who did the same to me (almost squeezed me off the platform in the process) and then once we were on the extremely packed tube, proceeded to pull out her folded chair and sit down!
Remember guys, you can retaliate! That guy that stands in front of you might notice if you accidentally step on his heel. The woman sitting on a chair on the tube is sure to be hit in the head by your backpack if you try hard enough! People arranging their luggage at the top of the escalator are just asking for someone to trip over all their stuff. Public transport gets very crowded and sometimes it just gets a bit physical.