As said person sits in the too small spot between two other humans, there is a brief moment in which that person's body weight is suspended above the seat, held up only by the overhanging body parts of the two people on either side. After that moment of suspension, the new person starts to displace the bodies of the two people on either side. This causes a slight "ripple effect" as those two people are displaced slightly, and the new person drops into place. A seasoned subway rider will barely stir at this, but there is sometimes a moment of shock for a new rider who is wondering why their personal space was just so invaded.
There is an oxymoron - subway personal space. From the moment you scan your metrocard and go through the turnstile, you are giving it up. You no longer have personal space - you are part of the herd of cattle and you have no rights, no control and you are just lucky to make it to work without someone else's bodily fluids on you.
However, there are some simple behaviors that could make life easier for all of us, and if you are one of these people, KNOCK IT OFF.
Exhibit A - "My Space is Bigger than Your Space"
It's a crowded train. Many people standing. No seats. Does it seem appropriate to you that YOUR PURSE should have its own seat? Unless that bag has its own Metrocard, and scanned itself through, it belongs in your lap.
So, this isn't the worst example I've seen, and you could rationally assume that this person is so intent on her studying that she hasn't realized the rest of us standing around her. But wouldn't it be nice if every subway rider at 7:30 am came on board with the understanding that "this is going to be a crowded ride, and I should do everything I can to give everyone as much comfortable riding space as I can."
Lesson 2.2.1: Don't be a jackass. Put your purse on your lap.
The second, more invasive form of personal space violation, is the "put your head on my shoulder" violation. This is endearing and cute when it's your boyfriend / girlfriend. When it is a complete stranger, it is alarming and uncomfortable.
Personally, I don't understand how people sleep on the train. How do you not miss your stop? The sheer anxiety of missing my stop, being late for work, and ending up in the Bronx (not because I'm afraid of the Bronx, but because it is a million miles away from my job), keeps me wide awake, even if I only had 2 hours of sleep. It must take practice.
This woman was obviously very skilled at the subway nap.
Our romantic interlude began at Jay Street Borough Hall. Occasionally I would shift my position and she would jump and straighten up, but only for about 30 seconds until the head bob would start again. By 14th street I could hear her softly snoring, and even the head jostling caused by my laughing at the situation would not wake her up. However, when we pulled into 34th Street, Penn Station 5 minutes later, her head popped up and she walked off the train like nothing happened! Even with my indignation (c'mon people, there is a bed bug problem in this City!), I had to be amazed.
However, I had to make the following observations:
- If you stopped taking the time to apply fake eyelashes and 1/2 inch thick liquid eyeliner, you probably could catch an extra 15 - 30 minutes of sleep.
- Just because you're wearing a hood, and you can't see us, doesn't mean that we can't see you.
- If we're going to get this intimate, at least buy me a drink.Lesson 2.2.2: Don't be a jackass! Sleep at home, not on me.
