It’s 5:30 p.m and your shift at work just ended. You loaded the card, sprinted to the subway station. You get on, and can’t help but look around. So many thoughts are racing through your mind. Here’s what you may be thinking on your ride:
1) Why does my cart have so many people?
It’s unbearable to think about having 20-other people around you gripping on the same pole. It’s more chaotic than a traffic congestion.
2) Why did they take that seat away from me?
You already survived a long day at work and you’re tired. The last thing you needed was for your go – to subway seat to be taken away from you.
3) I hope that sleepy person got off at the right stop
Sometimes we genuinely wonder if they end up waking up at the right stop?
4) Stop pushing me!
There’s always that passenger who moves to a different place by shoving others. And whenever they arrive at their destination, they push more people to the side – manners much?
5) Not another group of students.
Middle-schoolers and high-schoolers – we know them. They’re so loud it’s like the know you just got off work!
6) When will we arrive at the next stop?
The tunnel never ends, and continues to darken.
7) Awesome, I have the whole row of seats to myself!
You can just put your heavy bag on one seat, and leave the other one to yourself.
8) Why sit beside me?
Or sometimes, you don’t get lucky. After the next stop, a commuter enters and decides to sit right next to you.
9) I like their sweater…
So many fashionable people take the subway everyday. We can’t stop but wonder where they bought the item. Do we dare to ask them?
10) I’m just going to read, so no one will talk to me.
The regular commuter knows who I’m referring to. It’s the person who pounces up and down the subway. They talk to everyone, but sometimes, people don’t want to talk. Please leave me alone I’m tired from work.
11) Wow, your carry-ons are huge.
Strollers, briefcases, luggage, and heavy backpacks. You wonder how you can help them, but again, you want your own personal space.
12) I see an old friend.. I need to run.
Seeing them on the subway is just more awkward than ever.
13) Please don’t flirt with me
Escaping from creeps in the subway is more difficult than you think, and oftentimes, you can’t avoid them.
14) Stop listening to that song.
Other times, you might not run into a creep but see a person who drowns into music. They have earphones on, but because they turn the volume higher than suggested, you hear the song. How does that not hurt your ears?
15) Wow! They barely made it
The doors are about to close and you see two friends running towards the subway. You’re rooting for them to make it while both of them step in the cart – just in time.
16) How many stops are there?
You are tired and growing impatient. You check the maps and realize that there are only 10 more stops?!
17) Not another delay!
You’re almost home until you hear the driver announce: “Sorry for the delay,” Ugh.
18) Finally we’re out of that tunnel
The scenery is the best when subways travel above ground. You can see different plants, buildings, and roads, lining up the city.
19) I wish my best friend was here
Subway rides seem shorter whenever your best friend is next to you. You don’t pay attention to strangers or places, but instead, you indulge yourself in a conversation.
20) Time to go
It’s finally your stop and you leave the cart immediately. You’re almost home and you thank the subway for a fun ride.
The subway creates lasting memories in a short period of time. Indeed, the trips are long, dark, and cold, but they offer some time for introspection. What are your thoughts on the subway? Let us know in the comments. And next time, let’s hope that no one steals that seat away from you.
Photo by Eddi Aguirre on Unsplash
