Bear in mind as I start this entry, that I was just about to apologise to a pole (!). Such was my rush for the seat, I hadn't paid much attention to the layout of the train itself. I didn't really care to be honest. I just wanted the seat and it was the only one going in the carriage. However, it must be noted that I barely even charged fir the seat, but I did only see the seat, and the seat alone.
You see, there are just a few things in the all important commute that really matter: getting on the train is a very good starting point and essential for any other tricks of the trade to be carried out.
If you are most fortunate to be travelling one of the more busy train lines, like I do, the Saikyo line, then you should be proud to be part of what Tokyo is really famous for; the sardine-packed train carriages. This train line is so phenomably notorious, that, there is rarely an empty carriage on it's route no matter what the day or time. How fortunate that you get to share in this, although, this is the one time that seeing the picture really is the best way to experience this.
The early morning "Rush" or, rush hour, as we tend to call it, is anything but a rush, that is some sort of feeling of exhilaration. No, this is a rush that simply is on a par with crush, and not just in rhyme. You might actually hear a bone crack as you are nudged, rather aggressively at times, or you may even have something like an elbow massage in your all too tight shoulder muscles. Whether you appreciate the intimacy on the train or not, and let's face it, the general consensus would hopefully be adverse to such discomfort, this is the train ride to work, and back and to work again, and back. And such is the rigmarole of the working routine.
If, like me, you work on the Japanese bank holidays, you might begin to think that you would be so fortunate as to have an emptier train on the way to work. Don't be so silly. There are plenty of people willing to wake up early on their days off from work and take that same train with you. Admittedly, the numbers are less and the bones are guaranteed a crush-free day, at least in the morning anyway. But there it is, those very few, very sought after empty seats. You spot them, but then so do the other new passengers embarking. There are two seats, but you count, and there are five passengers. Doshiyo?
I, like many a passenger, would much rather rest my feet, my body and travel, feeling relaxed, maybe even have a snooze. Yet, I would not disgrace myself with the petty fact of what my counterparts seem to have no shame nor compunction in doing. At this point, please note what I said before: I did not charge for this seat, I simply saw it and that was it, it was mine.
I am sure it's a universal trait, but it is only here in Japan, that I have stopped to notice the irksome tendencies of the traveller.
Just you watch. When those doors open, you just see what the people next to you are doing. Oh, it might all be smiles and light as you line up dutifully one behind the other. But when those doors open,, it is, without a shadow of a doubt, every man and woman for themselves.
There is always one passenger who leads with their head. Bent down like a bull, charging at it's red flag,this passenger is sure to get to the seat. It's not that they push you, of course they don't. That would be impolite. There is something in the technique that allows them to queue jump in the most permissible kind of way. The angle of the shoulder helps too. They use it to line up with the target, the seat. And if you get the chance to look carefully enough, check out the eyes. The eyes give away their target, which is why you might not often see them, but should you do, don't be too scared. Your gaze might just meet a pair of bulbous balls straining their thick red veins as if to jump out towards the seat themselves. If only they could' thinks the passenger.
I have to say, that I would rather this type of traveller than the one who actually does shove you on. Yes, without compunction, without any remorse, there are those who want to hurry their predecessor onto the train, with that one big push in the back. That's not very nice, is it? But I have witnessed it with my own very eyes.
But today, I casually board the train and gain a seat. Success. Bt this isn't always the case, and sometimes you have to pick a seat, in front of which you must stand, in order to wait for that, sometimes sleeping passenger, to alight from the train. Now which seat should it be?
It is never easy trying to gauge which seat is best. How can you choose which passenger is more than likely to be the next one off the train? Better judgement? What is that? I thought I had plenty, but the other day, I chose completely wrong, and now that my attention has been thus way drawn, I realise that I fail rather too many times than I would care to admit.
Take today's passengers, for example. Ok, so i was travelling from Ikebukuro to Shibuya at about half past even in the morning. At this time, it is hard to say when, where or how you can get a seat, but, you never know and I do believe you can time it well. Its a shame my beliefs do not tie in wi the reality of it all. This morning I chose the row with two business men sleeping lightly, so I thought. Now, this type of character would surely be the type to wake up suddenly and realise that it was their stop. If I was lucky, it would be as early as Takadanobaba, but, usually, at this hour, and still much appreciated, it would be Shinjuku. Then there was a student and then another business man, who was rather more alert than the others, so I chose him. There were also two women Nd another man not in a suit, but i had chosen, not so wisely,my target.
I was convinced that today was the day for me. It was, after all, my first day back at work and also a well deserved chance for me to rest, surely? No, the gods of subway seating did not agree with me. How could I be so wrong? It was one of the ladies who stood up o her seat. She was about 45 and her successor was older, so I didn't feel too selfish about he I'd have had to give it up anyway. But, it just goes to show that you can't be too careful.
And, you certainly cannot be too precious about your seat, whether you have it or not!
Think wisely, the next time you travel. But be aware, that seat could be yours, but, get real, even if you wait for one, you probably won't get it.
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