It's called 'common sense' yet not everyone has it

[Reaper]

Frustration: growing. Urge to kill: rising.

Why is it that people turn into complete morons when it comes to riding the C Train? From the level of common sense that is displayed on the C Train I half expect people to collapse into drooling heaps when they disembark because they aren't smart enough function in society.

So, I'm going to list my biggest pet peeves when it comes to people & riding the C train in order for people to avoid being the person who becomes the straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back and they wind up with a horrifying, traumatic story to tell an Emergency Room Physician.

1) Trying to get on the train before other passengers disembark.
These are the same people that rush to get on elevators by practically falling inside as the door is opening. How can you not see a person at the door of the C Train with their hand ready to press the button so they can leave? What do you think that person is trying to do? Serve as the C Train doorman? "I bet that person is going to push the button for me and then back up to the other side of the train so I can get on." If you do see the person at the door waiting to get off after the doors open then why do you continue to stand in the way thus preventing them from getting off? Do you think they are just going to lean out the door for a breath of fresh air before they return to their seats? These people should be conscripted by the army and used exclusively in "Canadian Forces: Operation Human Shield."

2) People who push others rather than say "Excuse me."
Why is it that some people prefer to push through the standing passengers instead of asking them? Is there some sort of feeling that you can bully strangers without repercussions? Not only are these people rude but they act all indignant when you call them on it.

"You could see I was standing there."

"No, I didn't. I was looking out the window."

"Why else would I be standing there?

"Because there are no seats left? Try using some manners, jackass."

The next person who tries to push through me will wind up laying on the ground next to the C Train platform.

3) Idiots who wear their backpacks when the train is crowded.
Hello! Ground Control to Major Tom! Just because you have a backpack doesn't mean it should be on your back at all times. That part of you that you can't see (your back) sticks out way further than when you wear a backpack. Strange but true. Take off your backpack so you don't push it into my chest when you fall back because you're not strong enough to withstand the crushing G forces of the train leaving the station. The next backpack that gets pushed into me will automatically become my property because I figure that if you get it that close to my face then it must be a gift.

4) People who insist on bringing a coffee table book to read on a crowded train.
Why do you think I should be pushed against the door of a crowded train because you can pick more portable means of passing the time on your morning commute? What makes you think that you are more special than anyone else?

5) Mental Midgets who put their feet on the seats.
Some people would rather not have the crud from your feet on their clothes. Now, take your feet off the seat before I rip your shoes off and toss them out the window.

We're all in this thing together so let's try to keep me from ruining it for everyone by turning you into a horrific image that will haunt people's dreams.

[Bill Bumface]

This is why I choose to park for $65 a month downtown and fight rushour instead of shelling out for a transit pass.

You also forgot to mention stinky people in the summer.. They should hand out deodarant vouchers with transit passes.

[octothorp]

People who are standing by the door of a very crowded train, and don't have the courtesy to step off long enough to let everyone else off. So instead, the fifteen people getting off have to squeeze single-file between a couple of these morons.

[Calgary Flames]

Best topic ever.... People are idiots.

Another thing to add to the list... you're in a crowded train and you say excuse me to people and they don't even bother to get out of your way. Makes me glad i'm 6'2" 225lbs so I can bowl right through them.

Move! fataers!

[lucid]

I actually find riding the C Train quite nice compared to my usual morning and afternoon bus rides. Needing to take a bus that services a train station and numerous schools is not the most pleasant experience.

- Taking up a whole seat when there's absolutely no reason why someone else shouldn't be able to sit there. And not moving all the way to the back of the bus. Watching a half-empty bus drive by as I stand in -20 degree weather trying to make my 9 o'clock class doesn't put me in the greatest of moods early in the morning.

The good thing about riding a bus comprised 95% of students... everyone is fair game when it comes to backpack swatting. You basically need to bowl right through people... at least with a backpack I stand half a chance! :P

ETA: Actually, watching people's behaviour on a bus or train can tell you a lot about that person and how they really are. I guess I'm a "people-watcher" type...but you can sure pick out the considerate people with common sense from the jerks!

[habernac]

more reasons why I bike to work everyday.

A coworker of mine had a letter to the editor printed a few weeks back. She walks to work rather than taking the c train to avoid "going to first base with complete strangers"

[JohnnyO]

Originally posted by hulkrogan@Mar 3 2005, 12:04 PM
This is why I choose to park for $65 a month downtown and fight rushour instead of shelling out for a transit pass.

$65 downtown??? How far do you have to walk?

Or are you saying an additional $65 to what you would normally pay for a bus pass?

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Ah, you forgot the completely ######ed people who stand in the doorway and wonder why the door isn't closing, adn the train isn't moving. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you in the way of the sensor you freakin idiot. (Just a little p*ssed that this happend to me this morning, dumb ass lady).

[shane_c]

Anytime I go on the train, which isn't often, there is always a lot of open liquor. It's almost always the usual drunks but sometimes carpenter's finishing up there work day downtown and taking the train home. I usually end up having to stand or sit next to some drunk, homeless person with no teeth in there head. Last time I was on the train (about 2 months ago) buddy kept leaning right up to me to tell me he's stopped drinking because it's bad for him and wanting me to shake his hand. God knows where that's been. Then reaches down his pants and pulls out a bottle of Listerine and starts downing it. Pleasant, ahhh the NE's finest.

[calf]

what about people who refuse to move to the back (or middle) of the train when others are trying to get on because they get off in 4 stops and don't want to say excuse me to the people that might be in their way - a terrific way to not let people get on the train when they need to.

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by hulkrogan@Mar 3 2005, 06:04 PM
This is why I choose to park for $65 a month downtown and fight rushour instead of shelling out for a transit pass.

You also forgot to mention stinky people in the summer.. They should hand out deodarant vouchers with transit passes.

$65!? Where in hell did you find $65 a month in downtown parking, we're not talking about downtown Lethbridge are we!?? $250 is the going rate right now....

[Cheese]

When I finished school many moons ago I vowed to never take another bus/train because of all the afforementioned reasons. That was just over 30 years ago...

The other thing that peed me off was certain people of foreign language yelling at each other in conversation from the front to the back of the bus. Nasty!

Still none of this is as bad as the snot boy story! One of the best!

[Table 5]

so, any good C-train stories out there?

this was on the Subway here, but I was riding the train late at night one day, the train was pretty empty, and out of nowhere a half naked homeless man only in his underwear runs through the train car screaming like a madman, and then dissapears through the other end of the train car....

and there was that time my friend saw a homeless man drop trou and take a shinguard on the subway stairs right in the middle of the day....

lotta homeless people subway stories around here.

[KevanGuy]

Originally posted by fotze+Mar 3 2005, 11:09 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (fotze @ Mar 3 2005, 11:09 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-hulkrogan@Mar 3 2005, 11:04 AM
This is why I choose to park for $65 a month downtown and fight rushour instead of shelling out for a transit pass.

You also forgot to mention stinky people in the summer.. They should hand out deodarant vouchers with transit passes.

Stinky is right. That hot summer hell smell is why I vowed to not take the CTrain to work ever agin, no matter the cost.

Breath, underarms and ass of other people stink and when you consider smelling these things means actual particles of sweat, feces and saliva from these ghastly people are actually landing on the back of your tongue it can drive someone to howard hughes levels. [/b][/quote]
As soon as I could afford a car and parking I vowed to never take transit again. The 2+ hours a day I was spending of the C-Train and buses was pure hell.

The last time I took the train was not last summer but the one before. I was headed to the Stampede and had the same experience as described above. With all the sweat, heat and lack of reasonable ventilation I thought I was gonna pass out. Thinking off all the stinks that were going into my body and all the germs on the poles was giving me a decent panic attack. I couldn't get to a washroom fast enough to wash my hands and face. I will never go back!

[Calgary Flames]

I don't know why but I actually prefer the bus than C-Train. I guess with the lack of a visible driver allows people to act more stupid on the trains.

[RougeUnderoos]

I was on the train once at about quarter to five in the p.m. on a Friday afternoon. 32 degrees celsius and it was the first week of July, which all Calgarians know means "YeeHaw Stampede Time!"

So you've got your regular commuters which normally pack the thing out at that time of day and you've also got families. Young families. Families with baby-strollers that that look like the Lunar Rover, and toddlers that just spent 6 hours in the sun, eating junk food, going on rides and getting tired and cranky.

Pretty bad, eh? Well add to that pleasant picture a seriously drunk man, sitting on the floor, in a pair of jeans into which he had shat.

The stink in that train car was incomprehensible. It was at least 40 degrees in there. Every person on that train sweating profusely. Babies crying. Sour faces of course on all adults. And some guy sitting on the floor with a pantload of shinguard.

It was unreal. 15 minutes max on that train, more than two years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday. Everytime I go near the CTrain I shudder and consider walking.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by Incinerator@Mar 3 2005, 01:03 PM
You also forgot to mention stinky people in the summer.. They should hand out deodarant vouchers with transit passes.

$65!? Where in hell did you find $65 a month in downtown parking, we're not talking about downtown Lethbridge are we!?? $250 is the going rate right now.... [/quote]
Parking can be had on 11th Ave for $65 a month. Not in the best of places but it's cheap.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally posted by fotze@Mar 3 2005, 01:27 PM
Well a new sig for me out of that story.

Ha ha. Well I'm honored.

[JohnnyO]

Originally posted by I-Hate-Hulse@Mar 3 2005, 02:39 PM

$65!? Where in hell did you find $65 a month in downtown parking, we're not talking about downtown Lethbridge are we!?? $250 is the going rate right now....

Parking can be had on 11th Ave for $65 a month. Not in the best of places but it's cheap. [/quote]
The only place that might be that cheap is near olympic way on 11th Ave. I believe there is a CPR lot there. But don't be surprised if:

1. your car is not there when you go home
2. it is being used by a working lady as her place of business.

[habernac]

LOL! Thx, Rouge, my co-workers all think I'm insane as I start laughing uncontrollably at my workstation.