Train Games....
So when you use the trains for 6 hours a day (on a good day) you learn a game or two along the way. Here’s a few of my favourites:
1. How many runners make the trains?
The best record I had for this in one day was 6 out of 8. This is people who are running for a train after the whistle had sounded. After I had seen a guy fall flat on his face (on an opposite plaform), and realised how entertaining I had found it, I swore to myself I’d never be one of those people. That was about 7 months ago and to this day I do not run for public transport. Go grab a tea, sit, enjoy...
2. Mess with people when they ask about my surname
If I had a penny for every time I was asked if I’m related to Sandra Bullock, I’d be a pretty rich lady by now. So when the conductors saw my surname on my travel card it was an old joke...one that I’d heard in every job, bar, class I’d been in. I have a small repertoire of answers I use when asked:
*terrible american accent* Oh, haha yeah, I’m on my way to the airport to meet her now - This one always got a great reaction
Yeah, I don’t normally tell people though. It’s difficult to make friends....*go off on a story about people only being friends because my aunt is a Hollywood film star* - This one soon made the conductor wish they hadn’t asked, also a lot of crazed looks from other passengers who might have overheard
She’s my dad’s cousin! - By far the most believeable and often ended the conversation with a very surprised look from the conductor, who thought he was joking and not actually talking to someone related to a Hollywood star
(I should add I am not at all related to Sandra Bullock, as far as I know)
3. Who will press the “open doors” button first?
This one annoys me. I think people here believe the door buttons are some mythological portals, through which they’ll be transported to a parallel universe, becase NO ONE EVER OPENS THE DAMN DOORS! Ecept the little kids, who are so excited about opening the doors and letting everyone out. But no, everyone huddles around the door, avoiding all eye contact with the buttons. So the game is all about throwing evil looks at the person closest, until they realise that they are infact the appointed pusher of the button, destined to send the rest of us through the portal out into the real world.
Train travel can suck majorly. But plug in your headphones, grab a hot drink and enjoy. It’s the perfect oportunity for people watching, or just generally passing time in an entertaining way (sometimes even worthy of Ridiculousness)....












