The recent wintery weather here in Vancouver has prompted a multitude of snow-phobic drivers to take public transit instead. Now I’ll admit that Vancouver transit riders are not the most courteous at the best of times, but the last few days have been absolutely ridiculous. I swear there must be at least twice as many people on transit as usual, and half of them are just plain rude!
This blog post from Don’t Panic echoed my thoughts exactly:
“Buses crowded with people who act like it’s their first time on transit and A) don’t remove their backpacks- you are hitting other people with it, and taking up space that another person could cram into, and B) don’t move back automatically. Why does the driver have to tell us to move back at every stop? A space opened up, MOVE THE FUCK BACK.”
Funny you should quote from this other Vancouver blogger (she’s dating a guy from my former group blog). I like better the poking fun at Vancouverites who shield themselves from snow with umbrellas! (Or in the summer, donning their black rain umbrellas as shelter from sun.)
Posted by wyn | 30. Nov, 2006, 12:13 pmHi there:
First I would like to tell you that my name is not really Ermintrude Foonman and I have given you a phony e-mail, but only to protect my little (alright, maybe not quite so little these days) fanny. With all the spam I had to endure from my previous e-mail server I have certainly learned and especially at my age (you may guess it) not to take certain chances. Enough said.
Now, as you have mentioned, people in this city simply don’t seem to get it. We are, most of us, too self-centred and self-absorbed to really notice, or care to notice that other people exist. It is so easy to simply turn off your cell phone when you board a bus, or if you must use it, to talk quietly, briefly and discreetly. And people, especially under 30, can get so huffy and offended and offensive should you ask them, even politely to lower their voices a little. Well, my little dears, none of us is the centre of the universe you know, as it is far too big a job and we simply don’t have the skills. So… may I suggest that you turn down your i-pods, lower your voices on your cell phones, open your eyes and simply NOTICE, that there are hundreds and thousands and millions and billions of other people occupying this planet besides your important little selves.
Posted by Ermintrude | 07. Feb, 2007, 4:21 pm