…the more they stay the same. I was riding the Metro earlier today and I had a flashback to riding the Underground in the UK. I get on the Metro and everyone, I mean EVERYONE is crammed into the doorway area. Nobody moves to allow you on, and seems to glare at you if you make the attempt to board.
Normally, I would just back down and wait for the next Metro. However, today was different. First, I looked at the middle of the train and it was as I had seen in London, almost empty. So basically, everyone was crowding the doorway to avoid having to move into the middle of the train. At this, I knew what I had to do.
I took a deep breath and said, “Excuse me, can you please move into the middle of the train to allow us to get on?” Grudgingly they started to sift into the middle of the train, which allowed more than 10 of us to get on at my door. Sure I got dirty looks, but come on…why cram yourself into the doorway when there is plenty of room in the middle of the train!
The only thing I can think is people have a fear of getting trapped in the middle of the train. I guess the fear is that they think nobody will let them get off, so they crowd the doors to be near the exit. Hey if that is you, that is fine, but make way for the rest of us who are brave enough to go into the empty middle of the train.
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I’ve been following/lurking your blog ever since I began my LBS global emba application. And since today’s been a slow day @ the office, I was surprise to learn that you are in DC which is currently where I’m at. None the less, being a native Hong Kong’-er’, I share the same feelings with you on Metro. I used to get on the train at the Courthouse stop and being a sardine on a daily routine which got old really quick. G’luck w/ your adjustment in DC and cope w/ the humidity.
Oh, and if you were wondering, I’ll be attending this small school in Philly instead of raking in miles with British Airway starting this Aug.