(no subject)

[vicarz]

How to (not to) behave on the fucking Metro:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/wdc/19598535.html

I concur with all except some exceptions to:

Platform:
1 - sometimes it is crowded, and just because some idiots are scared of the bumpy section of the tile or the idea that a metro might, against all odds and for the first time in recorded history, leap from the rails, mount the platform, and start chopping people down like celery, does not mean I should wait 4' away from the edge of the platform.
Train:
5b - doesn't matter when not crowded, but if you still hold a paper or book in front of you I'll accidentally grab it, throw it to the ground, and twist my heel into the plyable pages

Comments

[dnaspydir.livejournal.com]

Platform:
1 - sometimes it is crowded, and just because some idiots are scared of the bumpy section (...edit)

I do believe those dots are their to let you know how close to the edge is TOO close to the edge. With that said however, I do agree with most of the rest... Nice post... You wouldn't be the anon poster to Craigslist now would you?

[vicar.livejournal.com]

It sounds ALOT like me, but no, can't take the credit.

Actually the history shows that the dots do not mean you are too close. Originally the indication of a safe distance was the white granite-looking line with the lights blinking in it. The dots were put in after blind people fell onto the tracks and sued, so the dots are just idiot insurance (I mean if you're blind you think you'd be used to using something to ensure you don't fall of ledges)? The dots have been interpreted as a safe distance, but like the speed limit set to 55 the original intent had nothing to do with safety per se.

Hypothesizes me...

[dnaspydir.livejournal.com]

Ya know, I was gonna say (the dots were) for blind people, but had nothing to back it up, so I left it out of my post. But nothing pisses me off more than some shithead standing at the outer edge of the dots (or worse yet, walking along them) when a train is arriving... Partly because the conductor usually rants about it when they open the doors, but mostly because I don't want my trip delayed due to track pizza.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_blackjack_/]

They have this in NYC, too, accept it's just painted lines, so they obviously don't care about blind people. There is the yellow please-stand-behind line, and the red OK-we-know-you-aren't-going-to-stand-behind-the-yellow-line-but-for-the-love-of-god-stay-behind-this-one line.

[lilkender.livejournal.com]

Actually I think the bumps are there for blind people to know they are close to the edge.
Sometimes when I'm standing 2' from the edge, someone thinks they are able to walk in front of me... if I move backwards to let them by, I end up bumping into someone else.

I have more problems with people carrying large shoulder bags behind them, ramming them into my back, than with people holding little books in front of them.

I didn't write it either, honest.
I would never consider punching someone in the back of the head to get them out of my way.
Never.

A few additional rules that should be added

[(Anonymous)]

The metro is one of the reasons why I am happily not working in the District anymore. I couldn't stand it...here are a few more things that should be added. Okay...so there's more than a few ;)

1)If you're sick...stay home, carpool, SLUG or take a cab. Do not infect the rest of us who are perfectly healthy. I can't count how many things I've picked up from riding the Metro (get your mind outta the gutter ;) ). For the record I feel the same way about people who are sick who hover around my cubicle.

2)The Metro is not a dating service. There are more "I Saw You" ads related to the Metro than I can count. And I personally used to hate it when some schmuck would mack on me while I was tired, antisocial and not particularly feeling patient. (neither are the grocery store, gym, gas station, post office, doctor's office, dentist's office, etc. for that matter...if you want to meet someone put an ad up like a normal person. ::smirk::)

3)Riding the Metro doesn't give you the right to stalk fellow Metro riders. I had a stalker too while I worked downtown. Going to spare you the story.

4)If someone is reading a book, magazine, whatever...don't read over their shoulder, don't ask what they're reading or if it's any good. Obviously if someone is reading on the Metro...they really don't want to be social.

5)Making commentary on what someone is wearing in audible distance, "wolf whistles", cat calls, "damn!", "shake that ass" etc. is not acceptable and you will be beaten to a bloody pulp if you continue making those comments/noises.

6)We know the difference between an accidental brush and molestation. For some reason people think that it's perfectly socially acceptable to cop a feel or grab your ass.

7)If you have to fart or belch do it either before you get on the train or after you depart. If your digestive disorder is that bad then SLUG, cab, carpool, drive in..whatever.

8) Just because you have headphones on...doesn't mean that we can't hear you singing.

9) Staring is rude. Didn't your mother teach you that?

10)If you don't know how to follow proper escalator conduct or have large bulky objects...take the elevator.

11)We can *all* hear your conversations whether you are on a cell phone or talking to someone near you. Realize that before you discuss something of a personal nature.

12)Keep your children away from me...and keep them from screaming. Why people with kids take the Metro during rush hour has always baffled me. Don't the tourists, etc. realize that it's just a bad idea?

13) If there is no room on the platform to stand...don't get onto it. One of the most frightening Metro experiences that I ever had was at Farragut West. The platform was overcrowded to the point that I was afraid that people would start falling like lemmings!

Wow! I had forgotten how much fun taking the Metro can be! I feel so much better about getting stuck in rush hour traffic!!! Honestly! Thank you for posting that!

~feline.

Re: A few additional rules that should be added

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I'm with you except for
"SLUG, cab, carpool"
Why should people who slug, cab, and carpool get sick? That seems even less fair than the metro.

Re: A few additional rules that should be added

[(Anonymous)]

True...sick people should just either drive themselves or if they can take sick leave. Or they should be automatically quarantined and forced to stay home and given remedial courses on how to properly take care of one's health ;) Eh...I'm one of those don't take sick leave people (I've come in when I've thrown out my back every time, kidney stones, you name it)..but when I'm contagious...I stay home...wish more people would. Frankly, unless it's someone I'm dating/intimate with (because I've probably already got it in my system)...I want contagious sick people to stay the hell away from me...personally. I've got better things to do than get sick from them (my apologies to anyone who might be ill for any abrasiveness to that statement).

Mind you...I don't think that contagiously sick people should go clubbing, to bars, to restaurants or to any public facility other than a doctor's office unless it's to restock their groceries. Folks don't realize that anyone with asthma (and other bronchial disorders or even autoimmune disorders) a cold can equal a trip to the emergency room. Why should someone else suffer because you're not taking care of YOUR health???

I also think that people should get the flu shot early on in the flu season. Heard they're running out of the vaccine other than some nasal spray crap that's rather pricey per what I've read online.

I'm still waiting for that Japanese face mask thing to be all the rage here. ::smirk::

The one point I forgot to mention in my Metro rant...is hygiene. People...please make sure your hands are clean prior to grabbing onto the bars...so the rest of us don't suffer from your lack of hygiene. Besides not washing your hands after hitting the bathroom is just plain nasty.

Okay...I'm turning into angst grrrl and I'm actually not feeling overly angsty today! ;)

We must taco/food something soon! Ranting in person is so much more fun. You done with your exams yet so we can hang? Hmm? Hmm? I'd even settle for panting and ranting while hitting the treadmills with you at the gym. Miss you, buttercup.

~feline.

[turbogrrl.livejournal.com]

I, also, concur, with the exception of Escalators, 1.

I have no depth perception. I'm sorry. I really don't want to misstep and fall all the way down the dupont escalator, taking whoever is in front of me with me. It would be a lot easier if they'd actually install the dayglo orange stripes on the *end* of the steps.

So yes. I apologize for the half-second I take to assess the situation. I know, I should have posted to R&R.