Citizen Commuter

Keep your bags and feet off the seat and watch the universe open to you.

Check out the RIGHT picture, this is the absolute most perfect rail commuter. She even smiled at me when I asked her if I could take her picture. What’s so special? Consider this.

Look at the photo. There is an empty seat next to her. Her bag could easily be on the seat. Instead, she keeps it on her lap. This is a courteous citizen commuter. She is anticipating other people will need to sit down. Forgive me, but I just get pissed when people are boarding and flipping seat hogs have their bags on the seat pretending they don’t know people are looking for a place to put their weary booty. Fear not my faithful readers.

Check out the WRONG photo I secretly took of this young woman. She has no shame. How many things wrong can you count here? You can count on me. I target these hogs and ask them to move their dirty feet and bags so I can sit. The meaner the look I get, the sweeter the success. I love to say, with a slight hint of sarcasm, sorry, but can you please move your bag. What I am really saying is; I get that you want to sit alone, but tough seat!

So you can see how happy I was to see this model citizen commuter. What else do you notice about her? Like all weary commuters her feet hurt, but do you see a difference from the lady in the WRONG? Not only did she take her shoes off, but she actually put them neatly down on the floor. What does it say? It is a small thing, like a flag, that says she realizes she is not alone in the world and we depend on each other for kindness.

If you have been following my blog you know I’m not really writing about manners. I’m writing about humanity. I actually might not sit next to you if you keep your bag off the seat. It’s really a small thing to do to show your fellow rail riders you acknowledge them and respect them. Sometimes tiny things can make my day.

If you have to ignore me, please just don’t treat me like I’m not there.

CC