On Planes and Trains, Everyone Prefers to Sit Next to Women. Lucky Us.

Slate? ^ | September 16, 2013 | Katy Waldman

[SamAdams76]

It has happened more times than I can count. The doors slide open on a train car full of half-occupied pairs of seats. As the newcomer enters, we all set our features to maximum stoniness, flick the dimmer switch behind our eyes. New Guy picks his way awkwardly down the aisle. He is praying for an empty row to suddenly materialize, a resentment-free zone rich in the traveler’s most treasured resource: space. No luck. He comes closer, closer. Here he is. Here is his stupid bag being stowed against my feet. Here is his stupid arm on the armrest. Here is his stupid aftershave in my nostrils and his stupid music leaking out of his barely-muffling headphones two centimeters from my ear.

New Guy, why do you always sit next to me?

[Larry Lucido]

Exactly!

I’ve been on subway trains in Tokyo, Rome, Montreal and Moscow. Interestingly, only the ones in Tokyo were really packed (although the busses in Rome are often standing room only). Never been to India though, but I’ve seen the pictures.

Basically, the author just like to bitch.