I take the bus now that I've moved out of Baristaville but my pet peeve is people who move their bus seat ALL THE WAY BACK as if they were at home in their own trailer, ur, living room. And, Lord have mercy if you say anything to them about it.

Posted by: Miss Martta | May 31, 2005 11:00:11 AM

I hate when there is 1-2 seats left on the bus and its the inside seats, and someone HAS to sit on the outside. The bus could get back moving a bit faster if you just moved in.

I also used to take the LIRR(nightmare) and the only trains anyone could stand were the double-deckers, great seats, only 2seats on each side. Had a great experience last week where the driver said there was seats, but when I got to the back, the "free seat" was the "3 seater" and was taken by two "plus+++ size" people, leaving a shred of the 3rd seat free(even though they were sitting thisclose together), unuseable by anyone but Lindesy Lohan in her current form. Happened to be a 1hr+ ride that day too.

With the growing size of the average americans its smart to get rid of the useless uncofortable middle seat. It's easier than keeping people away from the candy at the checkout of Target.

Posted by: realhawker | May 31, 2005 11:13:52 AM

Hey realhawker:
You hate fat people, huh?
America's last tolerated prejudice.

Posted by: RudeBuddha | May 31, 2005 11:42:19 AM

Sometimes that's me in the outside seat. Since I get on early in the DeCamp run, I would always end up in the inside seat. After a day sitting next to someone who crowds me much more than necessary, puts their elbow in my ribs while blackberrying or falls asleep on my shoulder, I treat myself to an outside seat. If they drool on my shoulder I might treat myself to two days in an outside seat.

Sorry.

Posted by: Lex | May 31, 2005 11:51:40 AM

that link was hilarious. i'm glad that girl mouthed off to that jerk. maybe that pressure he felt was from a certain object firmly lodged up his you know what.

Posted by: E. | May 31, 2005 1:06:41 PM

I don't hate fat people, I was totally PC on that one. I just think they were using more space than they paid for. you can maybe argue that the seating was unfairly sized to start.

Posted by: realhawker | May 31, 2005 1:46:23 PM

I understand the want to be able to lean into the aisle a bit by having the outside seat. It was meant for those who take the outside seat and "set up shop" with their bag, paper, etc.. on the other seat, and give you the look of incovienence when you give them the "excuse me"

Posted by: realhawker | May 31, 2005 1:50:25 PM

I read the story (link) about the crazy guy on the train and did not think it was funny. Though it is hard not to talk back to someone like that, after all, he was a total a--hole, but he may have been truly disturbed. Better to let things go sometimes, or move yourself.

Posted by: Person of Interest | May 31, 2005 3:01:27 PM

"Though it is hard not to talk back to someone like that, after all, he was a total a--hole, but he may have been truly disturbed. Better to let things go sometimes, or move yourself."

I disagree. Why let the a**holes have a wide berth, no pun intended?

Posted by: Miss Martta | May 31, 2005 3:29:08 PM

"Though it is hard not to talk back to someone like that, after all, he was a total a--hole, but he may have been truly disturbed. Better to let things go sometimes, or move yourself."

I have to say I agree... this guy sounded disturbed. Sometimes it just makes sense to 'let it go' and move away from the nut.

Posted by: Pam | May 31, 2005 4:54:43 PM

Yah, I agree, Pam. You don't know what species of nut you're crackin' -- benign or malicious. I wouldn't have written about the incident on the Internet, either.

Posted by: Chris | May 31, 2005 5:41:24 PM

Uh oh. I sense a New Jersey gaff-ay.

If I'm not mistaken, the picture in this post is a Metro-North train, not an NJ Transit train. You see, I used to take Metro-north all the time back in my fancy prep-school days. I've slept on many of those seats, and I've been in loud, obnoxious groups of students who've had complaints made about them to the authorities. I know a metro-north train.

Since I rarely take NJ Transit, it's possible they have the same coaches these days, but I don't think so...

Posted by: Marshall | May 31, 2005 7:51:43 PM

I have taken NJ Transit almost every day since 1988. I have been in coaches like that several times. I guess that NJ Transit buys or leases coaches from Metro North when it short of equipment.

Posted by: sue | Jun 1, 2005 11:17:17 AM

Another pet peeve I have: Why, when it's time to leave the bus, do people walk like zombies on Quaaludes?

Posted by: Miss Martta | Jun 1, 2005 1:09:28 PM

to "Person of Interest" - not for nothing, but i didn't think it was very funny being the focus of that idiot's ire. i merely was typing into my treo as the situation was happening.. sorry you didn't think it was funny, perhaps you should feel lucky that you don't have to traverse the rails on a daily basis and come in contact with these people... feel free to read more of the "Surly Schlep" section of my site to get the full flavour of my commute... my 2 hour one-way commute...

http://www.gigglechick.com/erin/blog/cat_the_surly_schlep.php

Posted by: gigglechick | Jun 1, 2005 3:08:50 PM