| Author | Message | ||
     Sau Citizen Username: Sau Post Number: 29 Registered: 8-2005 |
Why is your briefcase so important it needs its own seat on the Mid-Town Direct? Does it have a ticket? Do you think burying your bulbous nose in the WSJ means you don't see the dozens of people who'd like to sit there? What, you don't see them, they don't exist? And when someone does ask you to move your briefcase, could you be a little bit gracious about it? After all, it's called PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. If you want your own, private seat, get a car. Is that too much to ask. (BTW, we can see you're playing Tetris on your Blackberry -- no sense in pretending that's important business you're up to.) | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2105 Registered: 9-2003  |
I agree -- though you could generalize to many folks on the NJT. The whole business of sitting on the outer seat -- or spreading your stuff out -- to force people to ask to sit is really rude. The self-important business guys, yep, but many others as well. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 9989 Registered: 5-2001 |
A week or so ago I saw something really extraordinarily rude. A guy was sitting in a two seater and had his stuff spread on the seat next to him. A woman got on at Newark and asked to sit down. The guy said, "after I finish my phone calls" and kept her standing half way to South Orange while he made a couple of calls. A new record I think for pure rudness. Cynic, I admit I sometimes sit on the outside because of my knees. If I can't stretch out a little bit my knees probably wouldn't let me get up at the station since they ain't got no cartledge left. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2390 Registered: 12-2004  |
Had I been that woman I would have picked the stuff up and thrown it on the floor and sat down. What a pig. I don't ride the train anymore, but when I did I had no problem looking right at those people and asking very nicely, "may I sit there?" | ||
| RR Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 483 Registered: 6-2004 |
it's weekly thing to experience a jerk on the train. this past week i had to move to another car on the 7:04 so i didn't have to watch the pig that gets on before maplewood clip his nails and blatantly eat them. did anyone see that jerk? then on friday, a woman became incensed when i asked her to move her bags so i could sit down and she did me a big favor by muttering under her breath and getting up and moving to another seat. i make a point of wanting to sit where people would rather sit their bags. | ||
| cicely moncrieff Citizen Username: Cicely_m Post Number: 55 Registered: 1-2005 |
Bob-- Really? If I were the woman I would have sat down anyway. | ||
| Ligeti Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 507 Registered: 7-2002  |
Upon boarding the train, I specifically target these oafs. There is usually a line of people behind me, so I just launch myself into the "vacant" seat, resulting in a frantic reloading of all their hideous gear and electronic gadgets onto their laps. Usually, I get nothing more than an icey glare. Ideally, a particularly self-absorbed individual will pointedly suggest I find another seat. Which prompts a stern, pre-prepared lecture reminding them that NJ Transit trains do not have VIP or business class cars, and that their jurisdiction begins and ends with a single seat. Since I compulsively ride the same car each morning, these characters often see me coming. I am training them, one by one, on the proper use of overhead storage racks. Their strategy is to assume people are too timid to confront them. But once they have an encounter with Ligeti, their commute is never the same. Reject masters of the universe, their needless electronic gear and suitcases (which contain mostly porn magazines, not actual work). | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2395 Registered: 12-2004 |
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| cicely moncrieff Citizen Username: Cicely_m Post Number: 56 Registered: 1-2005 |
Although it's not just NJT. I was recently taking the subway on a particularly crowded rush hour day. There was one seat open when I got in the car, and a woman had spread her bags on the floor in front of it. I asked nicely, "are those yours?" "yes." "well, do you mind moving them?" and she launched into a tyrade about having nowhere to put them. I suggested she put them on her lap, which was empty. "I'm not going to put them on my LAP!!!!!" I sat down anyway the best I could, which prompted "oh, now you're just going to kick my bags??" I might point out that this lady did not seem like a crazy person. But she did continue to mutter about and to me the entire ride. And she did seem particulary angry that I was white and she was black, and was convinced that I was commiting an act of racism. | ||
| Shawna Citizen Username: Lucies_mom Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2005 |
I get clausterphobic when I am boxed in by people and sometimes get anxious and silently start to freak out. The worst is the middle seat on the 3 seater side. Erg. I'm all tense just thinking about it. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2107 Registered: 9-2003 |
Bob K, I hear you and your need (kneed?). Mine aren't too hot either. I'm just doubting that most of the folks have our problem. There's also the young guys -- without office equipment -- who lean back, spread their legs and drape one arm over the adjacent seat to claim the whole 2 or 3 seat space. Never seen a woman do that, mostly cuz we don't sit with legs apart in that fashion. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 3380 Registered: 1-2004  |
Even worse is very able bodied people sitting in the seats reserved for 'handicapped' who will attempt to avoid looking someone with a walker in the eye. True people do have 'invisible disabilities' which is why the person with the walker doesn't say anything. But you know they aren't one of those people because another passenger DOES say something. | ||
| Amateur Night Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 1707 Registered: 5-2001  |
I've had problems with the business guys, too, but lately it's been women with multiple bags, knapsacks, briefcases, etc. When I said, "Excuse me," to one woman, she replied,"I already have something on my lap, why don't you find another seat?" I said, "That's why they invented these convenient racks, would you like me to put your bag up there?" I actually thought she was going to slug me with it -- I had to stare her down for a good 10 seconds before she took it on her lap above her other bag. Not a great way to start the morning. I'd love suggestions on a better way to get results. And Ligeti -- THANK YOU for your training efforts! I'm on the 8:22 so I miss the fun. | ||
| Sau Citizen Username: Sau Post Number: 30 Registered: 8-2005 |
Amateur, I'm comfortable knowing I can always count on the NJTransit conductor to help out. | ||
| thegoodsgt Citizen Username: Thegoodsgt Post Number: 897 Registered: 2-2002  |
I think I saw the same guy. Wanted to cut his throat with a dirty knife and then laugh while he bleeds to death. Then I was going to drag his lifeless body through the train proclaiming, "See. See! This is what will happen if you pull that crap!" | ||
| Ink Citizen Username: Pageturner Post Number: 58 Registered: 2-2005 |
If I see an empty seat with stuff on it and want to sit down, my approach is a kind of matter-of-fact 'nothing is going to stop me' vibe. I look at the person and say, "I want to sit down" (and say it loudly enough that those sitting in the vicinity can hear it, so there's a shame factor involved), and proceed in that direction. They better move their stuff or it's going to get squished. | ||
| AntoninaKC Citizen Username: Antoninakc Post Number: 151 Registered: 5-2005  |
Ligeti should quit his/her job- stay on the train all day "training them one by one" to cut the crap and act like adults. | ||
| buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 3327 Registered: 5-2001  |
My personal favorite is when TWO people flip back a three seater to make it a SIX seater and their own private space. That's the best. BOBK - WOW, WOWWE WOW! If that story is true I have lost all faith in the human race. Please - MORE INFO. What stop was he getting off at??? If someone ever did that to me, I would be going to jail the next day....... Here is my best train story - crowded quiet train going to NYC. One guy gets on the phone - I think he was a medical professional. OK. Then he LOUDLY proceeds to talk to what sounded like another professional about the results of a test that basically show the person who took the test is most likely going to die soon. I will say that someone on the train stood up, walked over to the guy and said loudly - "have some class and talk about this in private" COMMUTERS UNITE! | ||
| akb Citizen Username: Akb Post Number: 367 Registered: 12-2001 |
I do the same, loud, "may I sit down, please?" and try to target the most obnoxious spreader-outers. There is no way on earth I'd have waited for that guy to finish his calls. What a jerk. | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 2731 Registered: 9-2001  |
There is one guy, always reading his Bible, always with his bag and a cup of coffee on the seat next to him. And lately I always make sure to choose the seat next to him. And he always looks put out and grumbles. One day I may ask if part of his Bible lessons includes being kind to other people or tolerant of strangers. Buzz: I once saw a near fistfight on a crowded overheatd train, around this time of year. One guy was talking loudly all the way from Penn Station on his cell phone. Somewhere around Brick Church another guy yells at him to shut up, and others join in that if his business is so urgent he should drive a car. Still others started mocking his conversation. The guy kept talking on. Then, at South Orange, one complainer actually got into his face and told him how rude he was. The phone guy gets up shouting, you want a piece of me (or something like that) and the other guy bristled and stepped towards him--almost came to blows. It was wild. | ||
| Ligeti Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 509 Registered: 7-2002 |
Trust me, nothing would please me more than to work full-time at monitoring public nuisance issues. At this point, it's strictly on a volunteer basis. But it can't go on like this much longer. Coming soon: I will be issuing on-board citations to the self-absorbed oafs who abuse the sanctity of public space with their cellphones, Blackberrys, GPSs, and screeching DVD and music devices. Reject the digital lifestyle in 2006. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 10004 Registered: 5-2001 |
Buzz, it is the truth. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. The woman got off at South Orange. The man was still on the train when I got off at Maplewood. I don't think he was a regular on the train. | ||
| weekends Citizen Username: Weekends Post Number: 91 Registered: 1-2002 |
After I heard The Roches "The Commuter Train" song, my whole attitude about the trip to/from New York brightened up. Realizing that the sardine feeling is so widely shared that someone actually wrote a humorous song about it let me appreciate the chaos and the crowding. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 11396 Registered: 1-2003  |
Perhaps your right and duty as a passenger goes beyond asking for your seat. Perhaps you may (or must) now extend your request that these people stop taking up two seats forever.
It just might give them something to think about. Kind of like leading a horse to water, but you can at least try. | ||
| gj1 Citizen Username: Gj1 Post Number: 266 Registered: 11-2003 |
Tom, I've been waiting for you to chastise Sau for noting that the person was white...and balding...and middle-aged...and fat...and a man for that matter. That fact is that this person was rude. The physical description is not relevant, right? | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 2038 Registered: 5-2004  |
Ligeti, do you drive in the left hand lane at the posted speed limit? | ||
| Ligeti Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 511 Registered: 7-2002 |
I'm going to be looking for you, Rastro. | ||
| Zoesky1 Citizen Username: Zoesky1 Post Number: 1284 Registered: 6-2003  |
I agree on all this stuff, but I often take the outside, aisle seat on an otherwise empty 3-seater, because I get claustrophobic crammed in there plus on the 5:47 pm train Maplewood is the first stop and there's no way I want to clamber over two other people to get out. That wastes a lot of time on the platform for the remaining people trying to get home and makes the train fall behind schedule. In fact, I hate it when the train has arrived in Maplewood in the evening and a zillion people have to get off, and a bunch of people wait until the very last minute to get up, get out of their seats, put their coats back on, and get in the line that shuffles along, holding up the rest of us who just want to get off the damn train. Come on, people -- you know Maplewood is always the stop after South Orange...it doesn't move....it's not like NJ Transit changes it up once in a while and throws Chatham in there to confuse us...! | ||
| Ligeti Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 512 Registered: 7-2002 |
Actually, the physical description is pretty accurate in my experience. At least 99% of the gear-piling seat hogs I've had to re-train have been...well...chunky white guys. I don't want it to be that way, but as a group, they seem to have the biggest problem adjusting to the one seat per person regulation that I enforce. Another thing that bugs me: the obese ones seem to think THEIR excess of blubber is YOUR problem. I don't care what you do with it, just keep it on your seat. | ||
| Zoesky1 Citizen Username: Zoesky1 Post Number: 1288 Registered: 6-2003 |
Ligeti, here's a nice strategy that I use regularly: when picking a seat in the evening to go home, look for the three-seaters that already have someone in the window seat, ideally the fattest person you can find. Take that aisle. Guarantee you few people if any will want that middle seat, due to the fat guy (or woman, but it's usually a man). It's not rocket science but it rarely fails. It works even better if the fat guy has a giant newspaper. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2405 Registered: 12-2004 |
Believe me when I say I'm not a huge fan of the things, but I'm still trying to figure out how one can "abuse the sanctity of public space" with a Dingleberry? They make no noise, you can't talk on them, and they don't take up any space. | ||
| Ligeti Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 513 Registered: 7-2002 |
Thank you, Zoesky. I have used that very effective tactic in the past (I do like sitting next to an empty seat, I admit). But it can backfire on you if someone plops down in the center seat. I've seen some guys pick up garbage off the floor and put it on an adjacent seat. All it takes is an empty cup or a wadded up kleenex; no one will sit there. It's no longer a matter of the seat being occupied or unoccupied; now it's contaminated with germs. Might as well put an 'Out of order' sign on it. | ||
| Ligeti Citizen Username: Ligeti Post Number: 514 Registered: 7-2002 |
They induce compulsive, spastic behavior in your seatmates. I sat next to a woman last week who kept yanking the silly thing out of her purse, pecking furiously at it, replacing it, only to pull it out again 2 minutes later and start the entire terrorizing procedure all over again. It was like sitting next to a hamster. Plus, the terrified expression on the faces of so many Blackberry users worries me. People become enslaved to these devices, and wireless torment seems to follow them everywhere. I don't want to have to worry about these poor people while I'm on the train; I've got enough on my plate. There are also reports that doctors are now seeing unusually high levels of repetitive stress syndrome due to the use of these "communication" gadgets. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2406 Registered: 12-2004 |
I see your point and I understand. My husband has one of these things and it definatly induces compulsive (but not spastic) behavior in him. I know he uses it on the train, but probably not in the manner you describe. Personally, most weekends I'd like to take the damn thing and throw it in the street and run it over repeatedly with my car. He can't keep his hands off it! Ooops, sorry, thread drift. | ||
| Zoesky1 Citizen Username: Zoesky1 Post Number: 1290 Registered: 6-2003 |
Ligeti, I know....it can and does backfire. That's why you need the biggest, most mountainous person to absolutely deter middle-seaters from even trying. I have a few giants I usually stalk and follow or seek out...but I shall stop discussing my strategy here unless anyone here gets offended. It isn't particularly kind to fat people, as it does basically objectify them in my quest for a comfortable ride home. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 2039 Registered: 5-2004 |
Ligeti, looking for me to what end? More threats of dueling? | ||
| dano Citizen Username: Dano Post Number: 149 Registered: 5-2001 |
GREAT THREAD PEOPLE!!! I've recently moved to our NJ location and do not commute on the train anymore... but reading these have elicited humorous memories of these morons that I use to commute with on a regular basis!  | ||
| juju's petals Citizen Username: Jujus_petals Post Number: 200 Registered: 5-2003  |
Zoesky, about getting up out of your seat ahead of the arrival at the station. Does anyone else know they plan to get up ahead of their station arrival and then question exactly how close to the arrival they will get up and stand there? Is getting up when we're pulling out of South Orange too early for Maplewood? Does it make sense to wait until we pass Pathmark? Is it like arriving at party -- neither too early or too late? Yes, you should get up when the line of folks already waiting at the door is close to you seat? Always if you can't stand your seatmate a moment longer? So many considerations for such a short period of time but something I ponder from time to time -- when I'm not really absorbed by what I'm reading, in which case I'm squeezing in every last commuting moment. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 10018 Registered: 5-2001 |
Juju, you are obviously a Hoboken commuter. One of the intersting differences in culture between the Hoboken line and MTD is that people get up and line up before the train stops. On MTD people don't budge until the train stops, or so has been my experience. | ||
| juju's petals Citizen Username: Jujus_petals Post Number: 201 Registered: 5-2003 |
Yup, you got me. Hoboken commuter. Had no idea about these cultural differences. |
