Up Close and Personal (Literally)
April 16th, 2010 | Categories: Travel, Work | 8 CommentsI really don’t understand why some people are so temperamental about giving up personal space during rush hour when commuting via public transport. Yes, it sucks. Yes, no one likes being so close to a stranger that you know whether or not that person used deodorant that day. But if it’s something everyone has to suffer through in order to get from Point A to Point B… what’s the big fuss?
When I was commuting back to campus after I finished interning the other day, rush hour was in full swing on the Metro. Regular rush hour always sucks, but when you combine rush hour with tourist season, it really sucks. One of the women that was in front of me in the line to board the Metro looked around the crowded platform in disgust, rolled her eyes, and said, “I can’t deal with this.” She threw up her arms in a very diva-esque manner and then backed out of the line, disappearing into the crowd. I’d like to know where she went, because unless she went outside to a nearby cafe to sit for an hour and a half with a cup of coffee, it’s not like she had much of a choice about her lack of personal space. Unless she left the Metro stop to get a taxi, I guess.
I don’t particularly enjoy giving up my personal space when commuting during rush hour, but it’s not a big deal. Maybe it’s cause I’m used to Hong Kong public transport, which is always crowded. That doesn’t mean I enjoy being shoved around by others in a mad dash to try and get on an already-packed Metro car (Russian woman who shoved me forward so hard that I almost plowed headfirst into a poor old lady standing in front of me, I’m looking at you), but at least I get that it’s part and parcel of a rush hour commute (diva woman whom I mentioned earlier, that’s directed at you).
At least I make friends every time I commute back and forth during rush hour. Although since today is my last day at my internship, I won’t be making anymore rush hour friends for quite some time!
Tags: internship, washington dc
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Hi, I'm Manda. I'm a college student studying communications and languages. I like to read, shop, bake, and travel. I have a tendency to listen to my favorite songs on repeat for hours on end. Sometimes I catch myself thinking in a language other than English. 
some people are stupid…
i hate travelling in rush hour too…. but i don’t think buses compare to the subway.. besides, it’s the fastest way to get from point a to be in rush hour when there’s traffic (we don’t have subways in my city, i’m asuming)
I feel like I’ve missed out on a huge part of life having never experienced public transport during rush hour. Or really, public transport in general. I mean, I’ve rode the bus once or twice, and taken the subway in Toronto once but other than that… nada. I guess I’ve always either a) lived in such a small town that there wasn’t public transport, or b) had a car. Though that’s going to change come May… I’m scared! I’m a bus newbie! I will try my best not to become crazy bus diva lady!
Public transport really is not that hard to figure out, although I’ve always felt that bus routes are more complicated than the subway. But as long as you don’t throw a hissy fit when the concept of personal space becomes alien during crowded rush hour, you’ll be fine ;)
I agree with you about dramatic displays of ‘omfg my personall spacceee ahhhh’. And I’m totally okay with the lack of personal space (when I saw the Muse, I had to take a subway back: INSANITY. Some guy was singing to his girlfriend while literally pushing up against me. I didn’t care that much, just amusing). However, I understand that some people have serious problems with being cramped…I guess they should just avoid rush hour, haha! There’s no need for everyone to put up with the drama :)
I have to admit I get a bit claustrophobic when people get into my little bubble but I would never deny someone space if there is none! I’m always courteous to people and offer them space if there is none left!
Hmm, that lady needs get over it and deal! I mean, I hate been squashed up against people as much as the next guy, but I’d have no way to get to university and back each day if I didn’t go through it!
She was probably a tourist. DC tourists are a special kind of stupid.
I completely agree with you. I hate any physical contact. I really hate it. The public transport in HK is efficient and extremely convenient though, so I’m happy to give up some personal space during commute. I once had a girl who sat next to me on a bus basically trying to push me away from her to the aisle as if I had a disease. It left me thinking, “then why don’t you get a taxi?”