Allow me to begin by saying that I am not an expert in social sciences. I am simply recounting my observations of a social phenomenon that I find moderately interesting. It is unremarkable that billions of people pass by each other every day without even acknowledging one another, but the fact that this behavior continues when they must remain uncomfortably close to each other is worth considering.
Yesterday, like many days, I opted for a ride on the bus over a trek across campus. The bus stop is a great place to see a preview of the awkwardness to come. Even before they're crammed together on the bus, a dozen or so students stand in a sloppy sort of line formation, each stealing glances at each other in what they perceive to be secrecy (I often wear sunglasses, so I can watch people shift their gazes periodically without drawing attention to myself). Occasionally someone will be in the middle of a phone call as we all wait. I particularly enjoy this because there's no way to ignore a single voice in the midst of an otherwise silent crowd. If my fellow students are anything like me (and I'd like to think they are), they can't help but do a bit of eavesdropping in such a situation.
Before we can discuss the ride itself, we must consider the trials of boarding. Our group of students is now beginning to get anxious as the bus comes into sight down the road, across the intersection. As it approaches, the countdown begins on the walk signal that signifies how much longer you've got until the light changes. Finally the bus starts to lurch toward our stop, but what's this? The light's gone yellow... and... red. Red like the wind-whipped faces glaring intently at vehicular salvation, now unabashedly exhibiting disdain at their extended wait.
After what feels like at least ten minutes, the light turns to green and the bus coasts to our stop. The doors open to reveal, in most cases, a driver with little hope left in the decency of human beings. Even the most enthusiastic ones seem to be putting on a show for you. Whatever semblance of an ordered line that existed up to this point is demolished, with a bottlenecked semicircle left in its place.
When I finally got past the people who walk so slowly that they make you wonder how early they have to leave for things to get there on time, I faced a gauntlet of eyes, examining every aspect of me as I carefully treaded down the walkway. I don't like the way they look at me; I feel alienated for utilizing a resource that part of my tuition supports. I glanced to my left to find a guy using the seat next to him for his backpack. He was staring intently out the window, noticeably attempting to avoid eye contact with anybody. He didn't want anyone near him, but he didn't want to bear the burden of the condescending "standing room only" crowd's collective gaze. His inconsiderate act is noted, but never challenged.
At this point I have made the transformation from passenger-to-be to passenger en-route. I had no choice but to occupy a space quite close to the rear doorway. A steel tube divides the space in this area while also providing something to hold onto. Now, this particular bus ride took place before ten o'clock in the morning, so it was understandably packed. Most logical students prefer to get their classes done early so they can use the rest of their day to do other productive things, you see. This being the case, I found myself nearly pressed up against the glass of the folding doors.
I suddenly came to the realization that, even when forced to stand within inches of one another, people continue to pretend that nobody else exists. It's quite a sight to behold. I will continue this narrative-based analysis tomorrow, but I imagine that there's enough here for a bit of discussion in the meantime.
I feel that if this is to be true, then people must first acknowledge peers' existence. Excluding any irrational notion of faith, strangers' existence is accepted upon substantial evidence drawn from sensory interpretations. One can, for instance, wear headphones and keep his or her nose in a book, unable to see or hear other people on the bus. Besides the person sitting next to him, the rest of the bus is only believed to exist through the assumption that the local population density is most stable when constant.
ReplyDeleteI think its great to mess with people in fun ways. The bus is a great place to do it! Next time on a bus tell a joke to someone. Or see if you can make a pun (this would be better!)
ReplyDeleteAH! Ask someone a question, if they dont respond say "sorry was that none of my busness?"
anyway, it is weird how people are so awkward on pubtrans.
I commuted for a couple of summers, bus and train, and never talked to anyone the entire time! no one talked. we sometimes made a half smile towards each other. I had a book (It was a good book)