Public Transit, use it

Posted by LordHox in Featured, Headline, Tips | Posted on 07 5th, 2009 | no responses |

I did not like to use the buses or train at first during my travels. The people are like cattle all crammed into the tight spaces under the ground. The only thing that got me through was the fact that I was a foot taller than everyone else. Being able to look over everyone let me breath a little. So I decided that walking was preferable.

After walking for miles and miles in the heat, having my brains fried by the sun. I got to thinking that public transit was not such a bad idea. There are things to look out for, like the following:

One of my friends watched as a pick pocket worked his way through a crowded bus toward him. He new the guy was a thief because he saw him put his hand in the pocket of everyone he passed. Then the thief came and stood right next to my friend and put his hand in his pocket. My friend was scared and did not move. He just stood there and let the thief steal his wallet. What I have found is that they avoid people who are aggressive. If you are ever presented with this you simply start a conversation with them. “Hello” you start with and then go into a story of what a wonderful day it is and how happy you are to be talking to such a fine person. It is all crap but it will throw the thief off long enough for you to get to your stop. Will this work? I did it and it worked for me.
Another time while riding a train crammed full of people I was new to the trains at the time. I had grown up on a farm and the only train I had been on was a cargo train that we jumped on for a few seconds before it got going to fast and then jumped off. I had never stood so close to anyone as I was while on the train with people standing all round me touching or bumping into me on all sides. I was not loving life at the time when it got worse. I remember looking down at my leg as some lady bumped into me and seeing some kind of insect leap to my leg. I tried to move my hand down to brush it off but things were so close that I could not get my arm to my leg. All the effort was for not as the insect (probably a flea) dis-appeared into my pant leg. I was horrified but what could I do? Well some tricks are to get a dog collar that is a flea repellent and keep it in your pocket. Usually I carried it in my rear pocket. It works well to keep the bugs off.
I remember standing in an empty train one time with a bunch of my friends. This guy gets on the bus and lights up his cigarette and sits down next to the no smoking sign. All of my friends started talking amongst themselves trying to decide who should tell the guy to put out his cigarette. They talked and argued about it for minutes and just about that time I decided they would do nothing. I looked over and got eye contact with the man and pointing at the cigarette I simply shook my head. He nodded his apology and quickly put out the cigarette. The others were amazed, but when it comes down to it people are pretty friendly and are willing to help out unless they are in a mob.