Commuting in
the GTA is going to be more crowded over the next year, especially
on the TTC and GO Transit. Does common courtesy have to suffer just
because it’s harder to find a seat -- or even a good spot to stand?
Will we see more people squeezing onto subway trains while other
riders are still exiting? This phenomenon, along with more patrons
blocking doorways, may increase as too many people try to fit on too
few vehicles.
So we adapt --
whether to trains that seem full later into the evening, or to
low-floor buses that require awkward new dances as you make your way
to the door with bag in hand.
While customs
vary around the world, it’s human nature to maintain some individual
space -- to buffer oneself from the stress of being packed in close.
Alas, tuning out others can morph into plain discourtesy. Yes, it’s
nice to sit down -- but someone nearby might need the seat more. And
sure, it’s smart to stay near the door if you’re two to three stops
away from exiting, but others may need to get in or out before that.
Maintaining
courtesy in crowded conditions is trickier when people are tired or
a delay happens. Yet commuters seem to keep their cool better when
stuck shoulder-to-shoulder than bumper-to-bumper. Many Canadian
drivers admit to losing it and swearing at their peers -- something
that occurs infrequently among transit patrons.
I imagine most
readers of this column are usually courteous, but we all have
lapses. And then there’s the downside of paying too much attention
to one’s fellow riders: irritation at those who forget their
etiquette.
Why doesn’t
that guy offer his seat to the senior citizen? Is that woman going
to leave her garbage on the floor like that? How dare he put his
feet on the seat! No matter how justified one feels, there’s almost
no conflict-free way to point out another’s transgressions.
When my train
or bus gets overfull, I just try to keep out of the way if possible
-- and not get aggravated by those who aren’t doing the same. And
yet I notice how the scarcity of personal space can bring out a
degree of ruthlessness.
Speaking of
etiquette, there’s been an ongoing debate among Metro readers about
offering a seat to an elder or pregnant woman. Here’s my latest
approach. Without making it obvious -- some people simply prefer to
stand, or don’t like being labeled as needy -- I wait until they’re
close and then just get up. No words, no eye contact, no worries.