More creatures of habit
I've written in the past about how we're all creatures of habit -- boarding the same train or bus at the same time, picking the same car (near the platform exit door), and seeing the same people.
But yesterday was unusual in that I saw the same person riding to and from work, and on different Red Line cars.
And I noticed this person because she is REALLY pregnant. And yes, I give her my seat even though I was about two seats away from her. Other ingrates were closer, but whatever. She got her seat. And I probably shouldn't start that argument again.
I've seen her board a few times at Addison inbound in the past. Fourth car, rear door. But yesterday was the first time I saw her on the return trip. Seventh car, rear door. And she had a seat, so that's good. I think these kinds of habits seem to make us feel safer in our environment.
Now I am one of the biggest supporters of getting rid of that damned Threat Level color chart and the Presidency's scare tactics ... BUT ... switching up when and where you board buses and trains does make it more difficult if you think you are being followed. I don't mean by the KGB (tho maybe they are!), but more so for a jealous, creepy ex-boyfriend or stalker. Or maybe the solicitor thats always on the train (even tho solicitation is prohibited on CTA vehicles) that you may have given money to once and now always comes to you.
Change is the spice of life.
Posted by: Ed | February 20, 2008 at 09:34 AM
>>I think these kinds of habits seem to make us feel safer in our environment.<<
And ironicly, they probably reduce our security.
It's not like we're living in some rural area where it's important that people know what route we always take home so they know which ditches and ravines to check when we never make it home. Being too predictable in an urban environment sets you up as a mark.
Means, motive and opportunity. Being so obsessive about how and when you travel gives opportunity. Lord knows that there are people out there with the means. All that's left is for you to give them a motive.
Of course if you really need to make your comute ritualistic, don't stop at trying to sit in the same seat on the same car every day. Take the insanity to the max. Make it obvious that you're crazy. Counting things over and over again outloud is a good one. Pacing back and forth while reciting the same thing over and over again is another.
And if you think sitting in the same seat on the same car makes you feel secure, you're probably the personality type who'll turn these tics into obsessive habits in no time! Once that happens, it doesn't matter how predictable you are. No one will ever be motivated to stalk you!
Still, I think it's easier -- and healthier -- to get your feeling of security by breaking those habits, and becoming less predictable to the strangers lurking in the shadows.
Posted by: Rusty | February 20, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I know you don't want to start the fight again, but as someone who wasn't pregnant for the prior debates, I want to add my three cents. And in the spirit of being a good Chicagoan, I would like to blame CTA :-) I don't really want a seat. What I want are handles or straps on the bus and train to give me something to hold on to. Of course, as a average-height woman (5'4") I've wished for this before, but it's more critical now. My balance isn't what it usually is and the lack of anything to hold onto on 1/2 of the train/bus makes it a more treacherous experience.
Posted by: Dariaclone | February 20, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Not to start the fight again either, but I've had two different men this week be polite in situations in which they really shouldn't have been. The first was a guy holding a baby in one arm and the little fold up stroller in his other hand who refused to sit down when I offered him my seat on the train. Yeah, I'm a middle-aged woman, but he was endangering the baby and everyone around him. I moved away so at least I wouldn't be the person who he fell on.
The second one was a kid in a light jacket, no gloves, no hat, who insisted on letting me get on the bus first. I was dressed for the weather, he wasn't. I had no problem with him getting on first.
Posted by: Cheryl | February 20, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I bet guy with babe in arms was thinking about the inevitable minivan and trying desperately to cling to some outdated notion of masculinity. Did you actually say "I think the baby would be safer if you are seated"? He probably is more of a risk to everyone around him, but my guess is that would be a less effective argument to make to him.
As for the kid -- it is charming even if uneccessary, and debating it with him would defeat the point (of getting him warm asap)
Heh, we need a Miss Manners for the CTA. Call it "Dear Jill"...
Posted by: ilr | February 20, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Nothing makes me feel safer than some guy on the Internet watching me daily, then writing about it.
Posted by: Adam Kotsko | February 20, 2008 at 05:44 PM
I think some "habits" we are may just be out of convenience. For example, I choose which train car I'm riding on based on the station where I'm going to exit. So if I'm going to State & Lake, I'll get a middle car because it's closest to the doors at that stop. If I'm going to Kedzie and lake then I'll choose the last car because, again it's closest to the exit at that stop.
Just my $0.02
Posted by: Darren | February 21, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Absolutely. It's not unconscious. I pick the car I do cause it lines up directly with the stairs at my stop. Simple.
Posted by: Mike | February 21, 2008 at 04:24 PM