I commute to work by train. I ride the 'Metra' from the suburbs into Chicago. Let me preface this by saying that I am grateful for Metra in that I don't have to sit in traffic for hours to get to work or to get home. I am also grateful that I work for a wonderful company that lets me work from home 1-2 days per week - thus I usually only ride the train 3-4 days each week. That said...
This time of year gets hard...its still FREEZING cold out, the fun of the holidays is LONG GONE and there seems to be no end in sight to the Chicago winter. This time of year little things begin to seem bigger than they are. Following is a list of things I just don't understand about commuters...
- Why do people feel the need to get nasty over parking spaces? People - there are over 5,000 parking spaces at our station - just PICK ONE and park your car!
- Why do people feel the need to push and shove to be the first one on the train? It is not going to leave until everyone on the platform has boarded the train.
- Why do people think there are assigned seats on the train? There is a very angry woman who sits in the train car that I usually sit in and she will YELL at anyone who sits in HER seat.
- I don't really want to hear your conversation about how much you drank last night and who you went home with.
- I also don't want to hear you discussing your work - espcecially your CLIENTS by NAME. Hello??? Thousands of people ride this train...what if someone knows the person or company you are talking about?
- Please clip your toenails at home - I don't want to be hit by flying shrapnel as you do it on the train.
- How do you put makeup on on the train? Especially mascara. If that were me, I'd have lost both eyes by now. However, I'd rather be entertained by watching you put your makeup on instead of being disgusted by you clipping your toenails.
- When exiting the train, why do smokers think that all of their fellow commuters want to share in their morning cigarette while walking down the platform into the station? I'll respect your right to smoke, but how about you respect my right to fresh air? Not to mention you 'flicking' your ashes all over my just-drycleaned pants.
This is just a bit of what you see/hear on the train...
Thanks for listening...I really needed to get that off my chest!
Now...have a great day everyone!
Glad you feel better now! I don't suppose you could go by bike.....no ok bad move! Have a good weekend, hope your little something arrives soon!
Posted by: Secret Pal | March 04, 2005 at 05:44 PM
I LOVED this entry. I am very much a people watcher and love taking the train. I am amazed at what people will do and say. lol
Now the tonail clipping bit--- ummmm yeah GROSS!!!!!!!!!! lol
Thanks for sharing and POST MORE>> I love your entires.
Posted by: Tanya | March 08, 2005 at 01:14 PM
Hi Secret Pal and Tanya! Thanks to both of you for stopping by! I wasn't sure if anyone was checking my blog anymore since I'm not so good about keeping up to date! I'm trying to be better about it...I promise!
Posted by: Kristi | March 08, 2005 at 10:44 PM
Oh my.
Sadly you are spot on... While I've never taken the Metra into Chicago I have taken the South Shore (same concept but goes from Chicago to South Bend IN) and yeah... I think people get so used to the trip that it begins to feel like home to them and, well, somethings people should just do at home.
Love your blog, BTW!
:)
Posted by: Cara | May 04, 2005 at 12:14 PM