Firstly thanks to those who have commented on my blog, very much appreciated. Secondly please excuse my inconsistency and I am aware that I did not blog at all last week *hangs head in blog shame*. But I’m back on track got caught up doing other things.
When I say I got caught up it’s another way of saying I fell short in my organisation.
Ok back to today’s blog I’m sure many of you have been on the receiving end of the shambolic transport system they call TFL whether it’s:
- The delayed train
- Upgrade and engineering works
- Staff strike
- Signal failure
- A person underneath a train etc
TFL should really stand for” trying to frustrate Londoners” as opposed to Transport For London. Bear in mind that each year these issues tend to exacerbate and yet still, it's deemed acceptable for fees to increase. If you’re not familiar with the above then count yourself lucky! It’s not the shoddy system but the weird/random/perverse people you tend to find on public transports that raises my blood pressure more than anything.
A few months back my dearest friend found the back of her legs being stroked by a random guy seated behind her. Fortunately for him my friend happens to be of a gentle spirit although she was not amused she gave him a piece of her mind, hence my rant about public transport.
I truly believe there should be some sort of ban for those who thrive at the chance of impeding our journey. So below is my constructed list of the general types of people you tend to get on public transport (from my personal observation and experiences) along with the grotesque idiot that stroked my friend’s legs.
I’m allergic to soap
These are individuals who find it excusable not to bathe/shower (early) in the morning and willingly choose to share their wretched odour with other fellow passengers. From the knowledge and wisdom I have accumulated during my life time, soap has never caused anyone harm. I can’t quite comprehend why one would avoid it. Its 8am, why would you smell so early in the day, at least wait a few hours?
The personal Dj
Then you have the (rowdy) teenagers that find it appropriate to share their playlist on their mobile with everyone on the bus. I’m sure all mobile phones come with headsets? If I required a personal Dj on my travels I’m sure I would have requested one. Then again with the increase in transport fees perhaps it should be part of the service.
The Human megaphones
There is nothing wrong with people having conversations on public transport nevertheless there is no excuse for treating your mobile phone as a megaphone. Why people speak at the top of their lungs whilst having a conversation is beyond me. I do understand that T-mobile is not the greatest of networks and so the person on the other end is most likely incapable of hearing you; but wait till you get home, the entire train/bus does not need to hear your conversation.
The Rule breakers
These are the individuals, clearly ignorant of the unspoken rule governing the seating process in public places.
Rule = you are only allowed to sit next to someone (who you have no acquaintance with) once all the other seats are occupied and you have no other choice!
The incredible hulk
The hulk that fails to recognise tubes come every five minutes (well the Victoria line at least, on a good day) but still decides to use their upmost might and power to obstruct the doors and make it onto the tube. You tend to find that these people are usually late for work, so not only are they late but now there’s a possibility that you too may be late. If you are five minutes late for work, you’re already late, just wait for the next tube and let everyone else on board get to work on time please.
Germs are us
The germ spreaders, those who cough, sneeze and (foolishly) forget to cover their mouths. Unless there happens to be a miracle or healing in your sneeze please keep your infested germs to yourself, I just about cope with mine.
They say knowledge is power so I thought I would share the following: a sneeze travels out of a person’s mouth at over 160 kilometres per hour?! Each sneeze can throw over 100,000 bacteria into the air! I rest my case.
My bags and I against the world
Know these people are at the top of my list after the germ spreaders of course; the individuals who place their bags or shopping on the seat next to them and look inconvenienced and annoyed when you (politely) request to sit down. However it’s not an inconvenience for me to stand-up knowing I have paid for my part of the journey. If your bags have their own oyster or travel card then by all means keep them on the seat.
Tips to improve and aid in having a peaceful journey
- If possible carry headphones with you, these wonders will help you block out the unnecessary chit chat, other peoples random music and will keep you in a better frame of mind. If you don’t have headphones perhaps bring some reading material just in case your journey that usually takes five minutes takes up to an hour. We all know that TFL like to have sporadic engineering works/ upgrades to the tubes.
- At all times have a scented spray or perfume this is just in case you are the unfortunate soul to seat next to the passenger who refused to bathe. What you can do is conveniently spray yourself whilst secretly trying to mask their unwanted stench.
- Always have tissue on you, for those who sneeze/cough without covering their mouth, perhaps all they need is for someone to offer them one.
- Carry antibacterial handspray, it always comes in handy.
- If the above does not aid in improving your journey and you still happen to feel perturbed and enraged, then I urge you to watch the video below to remind yourself it could be a lot worse!
If all else fails, get you car out and say to hell with congestion charges, otherwise contact TFL. These were only suggestions, please refrain from contacting me. If you have any other ideas to improve ones public journey by all means share.
p.s feel free to comment and follow.
xxx
Niks
Niks
