Where My Public Transportation Commuters At?

PrettyGirlLost

Do any of you find these behaviors annoying as hell too, or am I just a bitch?

Men Taking Up Too Much Space <--- clicky!
Seriously, you don't have Elephantiasis of the testicles, you can close your damned legs!  You don't need to be spilling over into my leg space.  Cross your fucking legs for all I care, but stop rubbing up against me.

Squatting in the Doors- I don't mean literally squatting and taking a dump- does that even happen? *Shudder* I mean the idiots who congregate at the bus/trolley/subway doors, then stare at you blankly and refuse to get off and get out of the way when you inevitably have to exit, and yet are visibly annoyed when they are jostled as people try to squeeze past them.

Let me explain some basic physics to you people- one solid object cannot pass through another, which means you need to get out of the fucking way when I'm trying to get off.  Turning sideways doesn't cut it, you are still in the way!  Just get off and then get back on again, FFS!

People talking on Speakerphone- This isn't a reality TV show where everyone needs to hear the other end of the conversation.  Why can't you talk on the damn phone like a normal person?!

VulgarGirl

I was sitting next to a guy once who kept spreading his legs wider and wider and wider and taking up more and more space. My space! I actually said 'Your dick is not that big, close the legs", he did, and looked pretty embarrassed. 

And yes the people who stand right there and won't let you out! I am known to say "You can't get in, until you let me out!" and they're like always surprised other people are there trying to get out. As if this was their own private bus/elevator and are shocked other people have the gall to use it.

pinkcow13

Ugh. I also hate the people who lean their entire damn bodies on the pole in the subway. One time, my friend and I were taking the train and some guy walked in with a boombox (did we step into 1994?), and he was blasting profanity laced music the entire time. Meanwhile, there were kids in the subway car. It was an obnoxious ride to say the least.

PrettyGirlLost

Oh that's another one @pinkcow13- If you can't hold on with one hand and perfectly balance, while dicking  around on your phone/Kindle/iPad/whatever in the other hand WITHOUT banging your elbow into the back of my head, then get the fuck off of your phone/whatever and hold on properly!

I had a guy doing that above my head once, swinging all around, and I asked him to move or to hold on because he was going to hit me in the head, and he just scoffed at me.  15mins later the bus came to a sudden stop because a car cut us off, and that guy elbowed me in the back of the head so hard I saw stars.

I looked at him and said, "Dude, I fucking told you that was going to happen!  Thanks so much!"  He mumbled an apology and put his phone away.  Another passenger yelled out "Too late now!"  I had a migraine the rest of the night.

daria24

@PrettyGirlLost-it took almost 10 years, but I saw my first person pinch a loaf on the subway a few months ago. It was a crazy person who paced up and down the car screaming, and then finally he moved between the cars, I saw him take off his jacket (which was the only thing he was wearing on top) and then I saw the motion of him pulling down his pants and squatting and I turned away. 

I HATE people who play games out loud on their phone. I can't even bear the Candy Crush sound effects when I'm alone, I turn that shit off. 

I HATE the pushy people that barge into the subway when it pulls up and don't let people get off first.

I HATE children who haven't learned about personal space and that lean on you. I am not your parent, why are you touching me? 

I HATE people that clip/file their nails on public transportation. WTF are you sitting down and breaking out the clippers? What is WRONG with you? 

offthemarket915

This thread is making me laugh... every single day it's something.  Can't wait for the weather to really warm up so we can add all the lovely aromas to the rest of the annoyances.

Another one is people who take up a seat with their bag when there are many people standing.  FI esp hates this and always says something.

My biggest pet peeve is people who stand on the left side of the escalator.  Don't want to walk up/down the stairs?  Fine, but move to the right already!  I wish every tourist was handed a flyer that told them to STAY TO THE RIGHT.

QueerFemme

PrettyGirlLost   were you inspired by my facebook post this morning?   LOL

thisismynickname2

Ohhhhh boy. 

I agree with all these, but I have no problem squeezing in next to a legs-guy and just knocking his leg to the side.  

I usually take a bus, and I loathe--LOATHE-- people who won't move to the back of the bus!  They congregate around the back exit door like they are just so scared of not being able to get off at their stop.

I've actually said to people to move to the back, pointing at the cluster of people at the front and people outside who can't even get ON the bus because they refuse to move. 

Usually commuters are ok (with exceptions), but the tourists are the worst.

Speaking of tourists. I hate how they always take up the bus driver's time and then we can't move while they ask directions. "Where's the zoo? Can you tell us when we get to the zoo?" -- "The speaker system will tell you when you're at the zoo. You can't miss it."  "Ok, and how do we get back to the train station?" ---"Go to the stop on the other side of the street."  Gawd folks it's not rocket science!!!

I had a transit-related vent the other day regarding out-of-towners, and I just go so worked up. FI and I have figured out public transportation in FIVE foreign countries, three of which do not have English as a primary language. If we can do that, people from city-suburbs can figure out my city's transportation system. </end rant>

offthemarket915

@thisismynickname, I can relate.  I tend to take the bus in the mornings, but switch to the train during the year when tourists are more likely to be here, because the bus takes twice as long.  No one has the right amount, or argues about how much it should be, has 100 questions, takes forever to sit down, won't walk three extra feet to sit in an empty row instead of the seat next to you, etc etc.  It's such a PITA. 

Always2014

Another thing that drives me nuts: when people have headphones in, but their music is so loud that I can hear it through their headphones. My ears start ringing and hurting for them. Though, one time DH (then FI) and I started jamming out to the girl's song; she had to be 16 years old, and attend the high school for the arts by our office. She was completely oblivious to the two mid-20 somethings headbanging to her music on the Metro.

KatWAG

 Ugh, I deal with most of these everyday. My pet peeves are:

Talking while in the quiet car. If you want to talk (or listen to your headphones so loud they might as well as be speaker) then go to another car.

People who put their bags in the seat next to them. I know you would prefer not to have someone sit next you you but tough shit. I dont want to stand for the next 30 minutes. Put your bag on the floor or in your lap.

Putting on make up or brushing your hair. Do it at home.

PrettyGirlLost

QueerFemme said:

PrettyGirlLost   were you inspired by my facebook post this morning?   LOL

LOl, no I need to look this up!  I have been brewing this rant since last FRiday, hahahaha!

PrettyGirlLost

thisismynickname said:

Ohhhhh boy. 

I agree with all these, but I have no problem squeezing in next to a legs-guy and just knocking his leg to the side.  

I usually take a bus, and I loathe--LOATHE-- people who won't move to the back of the bus!  They congregate around the back exit door like they are just so scared of not being able to get off at their stop.

I've actually said to people to move to the back, pointing at the cluster of people at the front and people outside who can't even get ON the bus because they refuse to move. 

Usually commuters are ok (with exceptions), but the tourists are the worst.

Speaking of tourists. I hate how they always take up the bus driver's time and then we can't move while they ask directions. "Where's the zoo? Can you tell us when we get to the zoo?" -- "The speaker system will tell you when you're at the zoo. You can't miss it."  "Ok, and how do we get back to the train station?" ---"Go to the stop on the other side of the street."  Gawd folks it's not rocket science!!!

I had a transit-related vent the other day regarding out-of-towners, and I just go so worked up. FI and I have figured out public transportation in FIVE foreign countries, three of which do not have English as a primary language. If we can do that, people from city-suburbs can figure out my city's transportation system. </end rant>

College students are just as bad in my area.  I yell at them all of the time to move the hell back.

pinkcow13

@prettygirllost - that sounds horrible! I would have been SO pissed if someone whacked me over the head. @katwag - for some reason the makeup one doesn't bother me. I think it's because I'm amazed that a girl can put on her whole face on a busy train. I remember one time this girl put on foundation, eyeliner,mascara, lipstick, the works. I was quite fascinated lol. Brushing your hair is just gross though, I don't know what might come flying outta there!

wrigleyville

OMG TOURISTS ON THE BUS.

"Does this bus take us to Michigan Ave? Where do we get off to go to the Hershey Store? How much does it cost?" - all while blocking/standing in the doorway and preventing the bus driver from actually driving.

One morning, I yelled, "HEY! SOME OF US HAVE TO GET TO WORK. GRAB A MAP AND SIT THE HELL DOWN."

A few people around me gave me a smile and nod.

How hard is it to research this shit before you travel? When I went to San Francisco last year, I looked up a bunch of stuff and ordered a Clipper Card online. I also looked up transit directions on my smartphone (Google Maps FTW) before getting on the damn bus/train.

wrigleyville

Do not even get me started on those assholes who block the exit on the train. I have honest to god shoved people right off the train so I could get through. (Not so hard that they fall. I just push and push until they're forced to back the fuck up so I can get off.)

pinkshorts27

wrigleyville said:

OMG TOURISTS ON THE BUS.

"Does this bus take us to Michigan Ave? Where do we get off to go to the Hershey Store? How much does it cost?" - all while blocking/standing in the doorway and preventing the bus driver from actually driving.

One morning, I yelled, "HEY! SOME OF US HAVE TO GET TO WORK. GRAB A MAP AND SIT THE HELL DOWN."

A few people around me gave me a smile and nod.

How hard is it to research this shit before you travel? When I went to San Francisco last year, I looked up a bunch of stuff and ordered a Clipper Card online. I also looked up transit directions on my smartphone (Google Maps FTW) before getting on the damn bus/train.

To be fair, the first time I road a bus was a clusterfuck. The bus wasn't saying what the stops were, I wasn't familiar with the town and kept freaking out that I would miss my stop. I did the research, but it was suppose to announce or display stops and didn't. No clue why. And I missed my stop. It took a long while before I was willing to ride public transportation again. 

But now I'm a pro. The worst I saw was a couple watching music videos on speakerphone. Somebody finally yelled at them to turn it off, but seriously? If you don't have headphones, you don't get to watch. I'm sorry but that is ridiculous

wrigleyville

Pink - that's too bad. When I'm in an unfamiliar city, I pull up Google Maps on my phone since it shows my current position. It really helps when I'm trying to figure out when to yank the cord. I know that's not possible for everyone, though.

syoun1nj

Makeup doesn't bother me as long as it isn't perfume/nail polish. It doesn't stink, it isn't getting on me, whatever.

Peeves:

Line cutters. I was here first. I get on the train first. After letting others off of course!

STAND ON THE FUCKING RIGHT OF THE ESCALATOR. The left is for walking. If you cannot walk, stand on the right. Get out of the way.

Keep moving. The bottom/top of the escalator is not a good place to stop and get your bearings. I will run you down. 

Rude teenagers screaming and fighting or rapping and dancing. Sit down and behave, other people are on the train.

Tourists. Always tourists. "We don't know where we're going but we'll be sure to be in the way of everyone while we figure it out!"

Ugh, so many. I hate the train.

Fran1985

I am getting notifications anytime someone posts in this thread I have no idea why. The knot gods apparently really want me to post on here. I am not a friend to the tourists. I hate when people are standing in the door way and look absolutely bewildered that they are getting bumped as a million people stream by. GET OFF AND THEN GET BACK ON.

Not walking on the left side of the escalator gives me rage blackouts.  

wrigleyville

Fran1985 said:

I am getting notifications anytime someone posts in this thread I have no idea why. The knot gods apparently really want me to post on here. I am not a friend to the tourists. I hate when people are standing in the door way and look absolutely bewildered that they are getting bumped as a million people stream by. GET OFF AND THEN GET BACK ON.

Not walking on the left side of the escalator gives me rage blackouts.  

Ditto.

Also, now I have to know.

In places like England, do people stand on the left and walk on the right? I know a lot of what we do in North America is based on which side of the road we drive on, so I wonder if it's the same with escalators and such over there.

I'm honestly curious, as I'm hoping to go to London soon and I don't want to be a stupid tourist.

Inkdancer

wrigleyville said:

Fran1985 said:

I am getting notifications anytime someone posts in this thread I have no idea why. The knot gods apparently really want me to post on here. I am not a friend to the tourists. I hate when people are standing in the door way and look absolutely bewildered that they are getting bumped as a million people stream by. GET OFF AND THEN GET BACK ON.

Not walking on the left side of the escalator gives me rage blackouts.  

Ditto.

Also, now I have to know.

In places like England, do people stand on the left and walk on the right? I know a lot of what we do in North America is based on which side of the road we drive on, so I wonder if it's the same with escalators and such over there.

I'm honestly curious, as I'm hoping to go to London soon and I don't want to be a stupid tourist.

Nope, it's still stand on the right and walk on the left.

doeydo

We only have buses here for public transportation.  When they're busy (as in, I can't sit somewhere without having a person beside me) I always sit like the person on the right of the post from 22ND APR 2014 from the Netherlands.  I do not want to touch anyone and hate when people act like they are the only ones on the bus.

JCbride2015

Oh, so much all of the things.

My latest pet peeve is when parents plunk their kids down on the subway and hand them a phone or iPad and the kid starts playing a game with the volume all the way up.  Just this week, I also saw two parents (on two separate occasions) literally YELL at their children for deleting stuff on their phone or not holding the phone right.  The kids were, like... three years old.  How about you don't hand your kid a $500 loud-as-fuck pacifier on a moving train?

I have also seen multiple people clip their nails and toenails on the train.  Barf.

pinkshorts27

wrigleyville said:

Pink - that's too bad. When I'm in an unfamiliar city, I pull up Google Maps on my phone since it shows my current position. It really helps when I'm trying to figure out when to yank the cord. I know that's not possible for everyone, though.

This was prior to iphones and such. Must have been 8 years ago now? Wow! I also worked really hard to stay out of people's way and tried to ask for help around me. It was terrifying though because I was still in high school and had never ridden even a school bus (private school) and I was just trying to make it home! I wasn't really familiar with Portland and was trying to make it back to Beaverton (a suburb). It was awful!

Always2014

Another to add - when peopel SPRAY PERFUME ON THE TRAIN. Holy cow, its one thing when someone has bathed in Chanel, but it's a whole extra layer of annoying when they take out their vanilla-cinnamon-streusel-wtih-a-touch-of-caramel spray from Bath & Body Works and spray it over half the train car.

ei34

I've been riding the NYC subway for years...if everyone's posts didn't make me laugh I'd cry! I'm 35 weeks pregnant, so standing in front of people who pretend not to notice for 30 minutes is a lot of fun for me and my swollen ankles. That's my biggest commuting peeve at the moment.
Pre-pregnancy, they include: men who sit like they're packing a baseball bat in their pants, clueless tourists, riders with large purses/totes/backpacks who refuse to put them on the floor so they keep hitting you, people who block doors, and three I don't see mentioned here: groups of teenagers who bring a boom box onto the train and perform break dance routines, spinning over your head and occasionally kicking you; mentally ill people who start screaming at/attacking other riders; and homeless people who go to the bathroom (1 and 2) on the train.

PrettyGirlLost

eileenrob said:

I've been riding the NYC subway for years...if everyone's posts didn't make me laugh I'd cry! I'm 35 weeks pregnant, so standing in front of people who pretend not to notice for 30 minutes is a lot of fun for me and my swollen ankles. That's my biggest commuting peeve at the moment. Pre-pregnancy, they include: men who sit like they're packing a baseball bat in their pants, clueless tourists, riders with large purses/totes/backpacks who refuse to put them on the floor so they keep hitting you, people who block doors, and three I don't see mentioned here: groups of teenagers who bring a boom box onto the train and perform break dance routines, spinning over your head and occasionally kicking you; mentally ill people who start screaming at/attacking other riders; and homeless people who go to the bathroom (1 and 2) on the train.

God love NYC, amirite?! :-P

And sincerely bless all of your hearts who commute daily in the big cities- like NYC, Boston, Chicago, DC, etc- and who have not yet killed anyone or committed another associated felony.

I admit, I carry a huge ass bag with me at all times now- a Vera Bradley Carried Away Tote.  I carry this bag to enforce my personal space after several people, men and women, totally violated it by sleeping on me, leaning on me for no goddamn reason, literally standing up my ass when the bus isn't crowded, etc.

BACK THE EFF OFF ME!

I try my damnedest not to hit ppl with my bag as I get on and off and really never do, but there is no way in hell I'd put any sized purse or bag on the dirty bus floor.

lovesclimbing

I got off lucky with public transportation. I only used it in college before I had a car, so I usually was using it during the day, not during rush hour.

What annoys me is people on airplanes!  Next time I'm seated next to an overweight person who didn't have the decency to pay for an extra seat, I'm asking to be re-seated.

NYCMercedes

Today at lunch, a guy got up from his table, stood right over me, and started having a LOUD conversation with his buddy who was ahead of him and thus, on the other side of my table. The fuckin' jerks were screaming at each other right on top of us. I turned around and said, ssshhhhh. He stared, then said, A simple excuse me would have sufficed. Jerk, I doubt you'd even know what excuse me means.

PrettyGirlLost

NYCMercedes said:

Today at lunch, a guy got up from his table, stood right over me, and started having a LOUD conversation with his buddy who was ahead of him and thus, on the other side of my table. The fuckin' jerks were screaming at each other right on top of us. I turned around and said, ssshhhhh. He stared, then said, A simple excuse me would have sufficed. Jerk, I doubt you'd even know what excuse me means.

What the fuck is wrong with ppl?