Riding The Subway

I don't understand people on the subway.  I feel like some people just move as inefficiently as possible.

For example, there are people leaving the subway. Someone who is boarding the subway stands in the middle of the doorway of the subway.  This means that the speed in which people can leave has been cut in half.  Instead of two people being able to leave at a time, only one person can.  How is this efficient?  This person may be the first on the subway in that door, but the people in the other doors have taken all the seats anyway (as that's really the goal, to get a good seat).

When two people are sitting beside each other and the person at the window seat needs to get out, it is polite for the aisle person to stand up.  So many times, they have simply 'moved their legs' for me.  This does not help.  I am short and cannot step over their legs.  I end up just running into them and hitting them with my bags.  I don't say sorry.  Really, they could have made more of an effort!

At interchange stations, or just really busy subway stations, people who are not getting off should move further inside the subway.  Standing at the door prevents people from moving in/out by at least two.  This is kind of like the person who just stands waiting to board the subway while people are still leaving.

It is also proper etiquette to not put your bags on the seat next to you during a busy time (or most times).  Unless there are lots of spots for people to sit, just put your bags on your lap, on the ground, anywhere!

Another thing that bothers me is when two people who know each other sit seats apart.  Then two people, who should be using two seats, are taking up three to five seats.  Yes, I've seen it where they are taking up five seats between two people!  It is just uncomfortable to sit in between two people who obviously know each other!!

With common courtesy and respect, how hard should it be to ride a subway?

Small Town Versus Big City

For 17 years, I lived in a small town.  By small, I mean really small.  Population of 1,000.  Yeah, it was the kind of town where you knew everyone.  The place where you'd go for a walk for exercise and ten people would offer you a ride home.  The place where it was hard to date someone you weren't related to.  That kind of place.

When I was 17, I left for college, lived in what I thought was a big city for three years.  And a few months ago, at age 20, I moved to the real "big city" aka Toronto!

The differences between small towns and big cities are very, very amusing.

One thing I've really noticed is politeness.  In a small town, you say hi to everyone, you wave to everyone, that's just how it is.  In a big city ... no one even smiles at you!  It's like everyone is hiding from you or avoiding from you.

Stop signs and pedestrian crossings are another thing.  Everyone is sooo aggressive here.  In a small town, people will be like "no you go" and let the other person go.  Especially if someone has been waiting for a while (although I guess you don't wait that long in a village).  But here, it's first come first serve!  You have to be aggressive.  I will now walk out in front of a car who is rolling, trying to start up.  But the thing is, all the other pedestrians will do the same thing.  So if I stop, I just look silly!  At first when I moved here, I was like - oh no, let the car go!  The car is anxious to go of course but it doesn't want to hit you!

The one thing that really bothers me about the city is all the beggars.  Especially the beggars who are smoking!  I will NEVER give a beggar money if he or she is smoking!  Or drinking!  When I was at college, there were a couple beggars.  None in my hometown!  But here - everywhere I go!  I do feel sorry for them.  But the fact is, I'm not making enough to give it away.  I come first.  I have to be able to pay my rent and buy groceries.  Which I can barely do.  So no, the beggars are not getting my money.  Some of them are rude too.  Like being mean to me because I'm not giving money.  It's frustrating!  Some are nice though.  There was a nice guy today - he said "have a good day" to everyone.

There are also tons of charities.  Doctors Without Borders is my least favourite.  They have stopped me so many times!  I tell them that I'm unemployed and I can't even pay rent.  Yet they still expect me to donate money to them.  No, I can't do that!  I can't just take money that I don't have!  I will never EVER donate to Doctors Without Borders.  Simply because of how persistent and annoying they are.  When I have a real job and can afford to donate to a charity, I will donate to one that a) appreciates my efforts, b) is thankful for what it gets, and c) did not harass me.

I also really enjoy being able to go grocery shopping whenever I went!  I love 24 hour grocery stores within walking distance from my house.

And transit.  So amazing here!  Going out after 10:00 p.m. was difficult in my college town because there wasn't a bus back!  And there was (of course) nothing within walking distance.  During the day, I could get anywhere.  But not at night.  Here ... I have a 24 hour streetcar outside my door.  The new place I'm living - there is a 24 hour bus that is only a 5 minute walk away (another bus just outside my door but it doesn't run all the time).  In my hometown?  You'd have to drive an hour before transit existed!  If you didn't have a vehicle, or someone who would drive you, you were out of luck!

I also feel like I fit in.  I did not feel like I fit in in my hometown.  I don't know why.  It just wasn't "me".  I didn't enjoy being there.  Perhaps because there was nothing to do.  But it sucked!  But here - always something to do!  Even walking down the street is enjoyable.

A lot of people are like "how can you enjoy Toronto?"  My question - how can you NOT enjoy Toronto?  We have parks here too, if you want to go to the park.  It's not like it's all city.  There are tons of small parks throughout downtown actually and some bigger parts outside.

All in all, I love the big city.  Sometimes it's fun to go visit my parents in my hometown.  But I can't handle it for more than a couple days!  I love the city and can tell that I am definitely the city type of girl!

Subways

I'm talking about the mode of transportation, the subway.

A couple weeks ago, I moved to an area where there is a subway.  There are some amazing things about the subway.  For one, it is incredibly fast!  No stopping every two seconds like on a bus!  I love that part of it!  It is really easy to use too, once you get a hang of it.

I had my first 'real' subway experience last weekend.  It was ... well ... interesting!

There were these two people who looked like a couple waiting for the subway.  Cool.  They got on the subway at the same time.  Then they sit in two completely different spots!  There were quite a few seats together that were available but they sat as far apart as possible!  So I figured, okay, they must have just gotten on at the same time.  But then they get off at the same time and walk next to each other all the way out!

The next group of three people was probably high school age - two guys and a girl.  One guy looked like a nerd.  The other guy looked like a stoner.  And the girl looked like a party animal tough girl.  (I know, I shouldn't judge by looks, but that was my first impression!).  So they get on the bus and sit together.  And the three of them are talking as loud as they possibly can while eating pop tarts (which happens to be the only thing they have with them).

I heard a funny story from a friend's friend about the subway.  I guess he was on the subway when there was a guy, across from him, holding a bag.  Okay, people hold bags, not a big deal.  Then the bag started meowing!!!!  Oh wow!!!  I'm definitely against animal cruelty but you've really got to wonder what was going on!

The last interaction I saw was this young woman (mid 20s I would say) stand up to get off the subway.  The older guy (late 40s I'd say) stood up as well.  The lady seemed surprised and was like 'oh are you getting off here too?' And he just smiled (relatively creepily) and said 'no, just wanted to say bye to you.'. So she was awkwardly like 'bye' and he gives her a kiss on the cheek!  I felt so sorry for her!  That guy just seemed really, really creepy!

All in all, the subway is great for transportation and amusement!

How Do You Get Around The City?

When I moved away for college to a “big city”, I was very excited about the public transportation. I could just hop on a bus and go anywhere! I found (and still find) it exciting and convenient. It seems like if you personally are driving, you always have to know your destination, and you just don't get to be as adventurous.

So many times, I have just gone on a bus and ended up somewhere. Or tried to get home using a different route. It is just fun to explore.

You don't even have to go within the city. You can try intercity buses such as the Greyhound or the Go Bus or Train. I love knowing that I can just hop on the bus and go to Toronto or almost anywhere! I feel like public transportation gives me so much freedom.

Sometimes public transportation can be a bit irritating. It seems like it takes longer to get anywhere on Sundays. The bus that goes by my place only runs every hour on Sundays instead of every half an hour. And the bus that's a short walk from my place doesn't run at all on Sundays.

I also wish that the buses ran later. On Fridays, the bus near my place runs until midnight. I like to go out and party and it is always later than midnight. I feel that the buses would be used better if they ran until two or two thirty so that people are able to get home. Sure, taking a taxi is an option, but I definitely prefer the bus!

If you have not used your city's public transportation – I definitely suggest taking a look at it. You can usually find some information and bus schedules online. Happy bussing!