Whatever Happened to Courtesy

 

Whatever happened to subway courtesy?  As we are completely insulated from human reaction with our smart phones and ipods, does that mean we no longer part of the human race?  Does that mean we no longer have to do what's right?  If I were to ask some of my fellow transit passengers, they would probably say yes to that.

The two things which illustrate this breakdown quite succinctly are that people don't let passengers get off the subway before they try to enter (I have straight-armed two people to prevent this from happening in the past 12 months) and that some people don't follow the stand right, walk left rule any more.

There used to be announcements reminding people of their duties in these two areas.  I remember that preachy loudspeaker reminding people to allow people to disembark before boarding the train.  In those days the speakers usually turned peoples voices into background noise--at least that is what seemed to happen when any important information was broadcast.  However, that message seemed quite clear.

As for the escalators, there used to be good signs that explained the two sides of the escalator.  Those signs are gone now.  I heard that they had to get rid of them because someone might get hurt, and sue the transit company.  This seems ridiculous.  Why should the transit company care for you if you have never learned to walk up a bunch of stairs.

It would be nice if someone would reinstate these traditions.  I would welcome them, and I am sure I am not alone.

When They Put You on Hold....

I thought we lived in a high tech world.  We have computers the size of a chocolate bar that can do more than a room full of them used to do.  We can watch TV anywhere on the planet.  All of this is done by huge telecommunication companies.

So, why is it that when you call these companies, you have to listen to terrible, poorly recorded music when they put you on hold?  Why do they subject us to this stuff when they have power over the lines?  Since they own the lines, they should be able to offer us some choice.  Why can't I choose the music I listen to?  Press one for Jazz.  Press two for blues.  Press three for pop.  (you get the idea)  Shouldn't that be easy for them to do?  Why is it that they can't apply some of their high tech to themselves?

Every time I get put on hold, I am forced to listen to some horrible music.  The only time I get spared from this is when they  take time out of torturing me to force me to listen to some overly long and brutally boring commercial.  I am not sure which is worse.

We haven't got the jet packs that they promised us, but we did get some pretty crappy hold music.

Where No Cell Phones Should Go

Once again, I am forced to admit technology is amazing, truly amazing.  People, however, are not.  They definitely amaze, but not in a good way.  They adapt well to technology, and make it part of their lives.  They bring it into every part of their lives, including the bathroom.

I find it pretty disconcerting when I enter a public bathroom and hear someone talking on a cell phone.  I really don't think that is the place to make a call.  It isn't the acoustics either, it just seems like a point of etiquette.

It might be an old joke, but men are not supposed to talk in the bathroom.  Stare straight ahead, take care of business, wash your hands (yes, I believe in that religiously and so should everyone) and get out.  It is supposed to be a time of sombre reflection, or at least quiet deliberation.  I don't think somebody yammering on about something should interfere with that.

Forget my peace and quiet for a moment.  What is the person on the other end of the call thinking?  They must be wondering why this person chose that specific moment to call them.  They can't feel too valued, can they?  Today, a person flushed in the middle of his call.  There is no way someone would miss that, is there?  Usually when I come across this scene I try to flush as often as possible, and use as many hand driers as I can.   This is environmentally unfriendly, but some sacrifices must be made if decorum is to be established.

There was a very good TV commercial on that dealt with this over attention to one's cell phone.  The tag line, after people ignored their children, ignored their lingerie clad partner, and dropped their cell phone in the urinal, was "Really?".  I could only nod my head in agreement.