severely late commentary

They put a lot of conscious effort into smiling but not holding eye contact, ducking, bowing, slouching, gauging whether any particular woman is going to be more comfortable going in or out of the elevator first or last, having the door held or not, being greeted or being ignored. They're acutely aware of their physical personae, and aware of how odd this awareness is, that it's a sort of freak funhouse mirror image of the hyper-awareness that most of the women in their lives go through the world with.

Z does this, as well. It's odd to watch such a large man sort of... fold himself up. He switches it off if I'm right next to him, though, because it seems like I give him a.... legitimacy? A pass? Except directly after the accident, when I had two black eyes, a split lip, and other nastiness. Then he just got death-glares.

Rules for the NYC subway: [link]

That guy knows what he's talking about. I have realized that I get much of my aggression out by slamming into people who are trying to get on the train before I've gotten off.

Reading openly over the shoulder on the T -- 15 minutes, less if the book-owner slows down to let you read along.

Reading someone else's crossword puzzle on the T -- 20 minutes, and ask before contributing an answer.

How are these not killing offenses? I don't let loved ones do those, much less strangers on a train.

::marries McGruder::

Lee, it's strange and disconcerting, but apparently we are not to get used to it.

he needs to add no talking, no pole hugging, legs together when sitting, bags on the floor or your lap, ignore all crazy people, take your trash with you, and turn your music down so I can't hear it.

Reading someone else's paper is OK, as long as you're subtle.

Oh, and I heard someone listening to Duran Duran on the train yesterday, and I loooved it. I actually generally don't mind hearing other people's music.

Reading someone else's paper is OK, as long as you're subtle.

But you have to be so subtle that I don't notice. In which case you can start right away. I don't care HOW many minutes have passed, if I can tell.

If you keep your eyes on your own paper, you'll never even notice.

If you keep your eyes on your own paper, you'll never even notice.

Spider senses, me lass.

Also, again, why time limit, then?

One of my pet peaves? People on the platform who walk alongside the doors of the train as it slows to a stop, so they'll be right in front of the door when it opens. A couple of times I have had to step out of the way to let these people walk by... until I asked myself why I had to move out of their way when I was already at the place where the doors would be when the train stopped. Now I just pretend not to notice those people. So these people have walked right into me on occasion... which is funny....

Also, again, why time limit, then?

I don't believe there is a time limit, personally.

I love being able to stand right where the door will be....and then having that door be right at the exit of the stop where I'm going.