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Train Training, Part I At 11:05 PM by: Hiro |
Note: I would like to let you know that today's interruption is a bit different. It's rather long. Or so I discovered about halfway through writing it(which is right now). Different you ask? All your bloody posts are long! Well this time, in order to prevent a ludicrously long post and so I also have the luxury of finishing it tomorrow, I'm going to post this in 2 parts. Enjoy.
This past weeekend, I went back home to Belleville(or B dot to the hip Bellevillians or Bellevegas as the Hictonites may affectionately refer to). Now the original reason I went back was because there was a karate tournament on the Sunday in Toronto that I was supposed to go to, but didn't end up going because I felt lazy. I personally find these provincials a bore and a waste of time, but I have to go if I am to be on the provincial team, so I go. This time, I didn't need to go so I definitely took advantage. Anyway, onto the main course of today's interruption.
As usual, I took the [VIA] train home. I really like the train and I personally think it's the best way to travel . Sure, going on a plane is exciting and I still love the rush during takeoff and the thrills of turbulance but the novelty wears off after the first few times. And yes, you can save 8 bucks by taking the bus but in the end, I think trains win in every other category. Trains have the interior of an airplane, but with more leg-room, nicer scenery(well, except for the first and last 15 minutes of a flight, which are usually stunning) and it doesn't have the loud roar of the jet engines.
For those that don't already, I highly recommend that you use the website to buy tickets online. It makes things ridiculously simple, don't have to worry about tickets being sold out(and even when they are, you can quickly snag cancelled tickets simply by continuously checking for tickets!), and saves you time if you're never on time getting to the stations.
One thing I really look forward to for train trips is the fact that I get to read a book. I love reading, but I just can't seem to sit down and read a book nowadays. But on a train, being isolated away from a computer and any other distractions, I can easily escape reality into the pages of a book. This weekend I actually started reading a book a bit outside of my usual preference of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I got "The Wealthy Barber" for Christmas from my sister, Yoko, and I've been meaning to read it but kept putting it off. It is a financial management book but written as a fictional story(you know, with characters talking and doing stuff). I must say, it is an amazing book and I honestly believe you'd(everyone) be a fool not to read it. Anyway, I will talk about the book in detail at a later time as I have a few more chapters to finish.
An equally enjoyable thing I love about train rides, is the mystery of not knowing who your escort will be, accompanying you throughout your journey. Today I would like to share with everyone some observations I've made and some strategy I've developed, in order to maximize the chances of some pleasant interruptions on a train ride.
The inital entry is key. As you enter the car, you have but a few steps to quickly analyze the seating situation. If the car is more than 1/3 empty, engage a dual-empty seat near the middle. This is crucial for later because nobody will want to venture to the back of the train to sit beside you unless it is the absolute last seat. Interestingly, the same applies to the front because people will walk beyond the first few rows in search of the elusive dual-empty seats. Yes, even if it is totally packed, people will still count on lucking out beyond the front.
If however, the car is rather on the full side, you're in luck. This is your optimal situation as you are now in control. You have absolute free reign in choosing to sit beside the most attractive and friendly looking person of the opposite gender that you can spot. This is where quick observational skills come in handy. Your seat selection process must, and I repeat must appear to be random. Don't want to seem desperate now do we? Pacing back and forth between two contenders while contemplating the pros and cons most likely will not go over well.
Before I continue, I must stress that I advise against sitting beside someone sleeping unless the car is near capacity and you have no choice. If the person were to wake up and realize there were tons of other seats available and you still sat beside them, this may lead them to believe you were watching them while sleeping sleep or took advantage of their inability to turn you away when you first sat down. This will register quite high on the creep scale.
The randomness can be reinforced by pretending to not even be interested in that particular seat by approaching the desired seat, putting on a face making it look like you are disappointed in not being able to find dual-empty seats, and finally settling for the seat (coincidentally) next to the desired person.
Also, although it is quite obvious to even the most obtuse observer that the seat is empty, you must ask if the seat is either empty or taken. I must be clear that you can only ask one or the other. Asking "Is this seat empty or taken?" will only make you seem a little odd, as the question must be answered by a combination of a yes and no, regardless of the situation. Another variation is to ask if they mind you sitting there. Of course, they're forced to say yes but it is a strict formality that you must adhere to. This indicates your politeness, displays your command of the english language(important, if you're asian[or other ethnic] looking like myself) and plants the seed for future communication.
Once you have mastered these skills you are well on your way to phase two, covered in Part II of this post.
-
This past weeekend, I went back home to Belleville(or B dot to the hip Bellevillians or Bellevegas as the Hictonites may affectionately refer to). Now the original reason I went back was because there was a karate tournament on the Sunday in Toronto that I was supposed to go to, but didn't end up going because I felt lazy. I personally find these provincials a bore and a waste of time, but I have to go if I am to be on the provincial team, so I go. This time, I didn't need to go so I definitely took advantage. Anyway, onto the main course of today's interruption.
As usual, I took the [VIA] train home. I really like the train and I personally think it's the best way to travel . Sure, going on a plane is exciting and I still love the rush during takeoff and the thrills of turbulance but the novelty wears off after the first few times. And yes, you can save 8 bucks by taking the bus but in the end, I think trains win in every other category. Trains have the interior of an airplane, but with more leg-room, nicer scenery(well, except for the first and last 15 minutes of a flight, which are usually stunning) and it doesn't have the loud roar of the jet engines.
For those that don't already, I highly recommend that you use the website to buy tickets online. It makes things ridiculously simple, don't have to worry about tickets being sold out(and even when they are, you can quickly snag cancelled tickets simply by continuously checking for tickets!), and saves you time if you're never on time getting to the stations.
One thing I really look forward to for train trips is the fact that I get to read a book. I love reading, but I just can't seem to sit down and read a book nowadays. But on a train, being isolated away from a computer and any other distractions, I can easily escape reality into the pages of a book. This weekend I actually started reading a book a bit outside of my usual preference of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I got "The Wealthy Barber" for Christmas from my sister, Yoko, and I've been meaning to read it but kept putting it off. It is a financial management book but written as a fictional story(you know, with characters talking and doing stuff). I must say, it is an amazing book and I honestly believe you'd(everyone) be a fool not to read it. Anyway, I will talk about the book in detail at a later time as I have a few more chapters to finish.
-
An equally enjoyable thing I love about train rides, is the mystery of not knowing who your escort will be, accompanying you throughout your journey. Today I would like to share with everyone some observations I've made and some strategy I've developed, in order to maximize the chances of some pleasant interruptions on a train ride.
The Entry
The inital entry is key. As you enter the car, you have but a few steps to quickly analyze the seating situation. If the car is more than 1/3 empty, engage a dual-empty seat near the middle. This is crucial for later because nobody will want to venture to the back of the train to sit beside you unless it is the absolute last seat. Interestingly, the same applies to the front because people will walk beyond the first few rows in search of the elusive dual-empty seats. Yes, even if it is totally packed, people will still count on lucking out beyond the front.
If however, the car is rather on the full side, you're in luck. This is your optimal situation as you are now in control. You have absolute free reign in choosing to sit beside the most attractive and friendly looking person of the opposite gender that you can spot. This is where quick observational skills come in handy. Your seat selection process must, and I repeat must appear to be random. Don't want to seem desperate now do we? Pacing back and forth between two contenders while contemplating the pros and cons most likely will not go over well.
Before I continue, I must stress that I advise against sitting beside someone sleeping unless the car is near capacity and you have no choice. If the person were to wake up and realize there were tons of other seats available and you still sat beside them, this may lead them to believe you were watching them while sleeping sleep or took advantage of their inability to turn you away when you first sat down. This will register quite high on the creep scale.
The randomness can be reinforced by pretending to not even be interested in that particular seat by approaching the desired seat, putting on a face making it look like you are disappointed in not being able to find dual-empty seats, and finally settling for the seat (coincidentally) next to the desired person.
Also, although it is quite obvious to even the most obtuse observer that the seat is empty, you must ask if the seat is either empty or taken. I must be clear that you can only ask one or the other. Asking "Is this seat empty or taken?" will only make you seem a little odd, as the question must be answered by a combination of a yes and no, regardless of the situation. Another variation is to ask if they mind you sitting there. Of course, they're forced to say yes but it is a strict formality that you must adhere to. This indicates your politeness, displays your command of the english language(important, if you're asian[or other ethnic] looking like myself) and plants the seed for future communication.
Once you have mastered these skills you are well on your way to phase two, covered in Part II of this post.
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1 Comments:
I rather enjoy this guide, because I have reverted to my hilariously shy phase. Thank you.
By
Nana, at 3/02/2005 11:28:00 AM
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