Welcome to Boston! (a grumble in multiple parts)

[gnomi]

So, it's that time of year, when the students return (like swallows to Capistrano) to Boston. And thus it is time for yet another "gnomi explains it all" post. Not that any of the people this post is directed toward will actually see it, but it'll make me feel better.

1. You see that thing in front of you? It's a Really Big Street. Running across it while those fast-moving things (we call them "cars") are barrelling down at you will hurt you more than it will hurt the cars.

2. Moving trucks, while useful, should not completely block any of the following: driveways, sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections. We know you have to move your stuff. However, some of us have to live here, too.

3. Ah, the T. Yes, it's a subway system. Yes, it gets you and your obnoxious friends from place to place. But it is not solely yours. The other commuters might want to be able to, say, read their newspapers free of your loud, obscene comments at 7:15 in the morning. Or even at 5:30 at night.

4. Also, you see those big signs in the T stations that say "There is no smoking permitted on MBTA property?" Those do apply to you. I'm just saying.

5. We know you're eager to get on the train. But you and your aforementioned obnoxious friends are just making it harder for everyone if you're blocking the door, keeping those of us in the train from getting out. This also applies to people blocking the doors when inside the train; if you move out of the doorway, people will be able to get off the train and you will get to your destination faster.

So, welcome to Boston. Keeping these things in mind will make your life much simpler and will also prevent me from thwacking you with my elbow as I strive to get to or from work.

Thank you,
The management.

Comments

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

Heh. Not so different from a post I could do for the invading Republicans.... *g*

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Indeed.

I think the overall cluelessness was higher during the DNC, but there were many more guides to help people around. With the students, they're here without any sort of native guides.

Good luck surviving the Republican Invasion.

[ckd]

You forgot:

6. You see those NO TRUCKS signs on Storrow Drive and Memorial Drive? Yes. They're serious.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes. At least one moving truck gets sardine-canned during move-in at BU dorms each year; people seem to think those signs are there purely as recommendations.

[ckd]

Here's an example for those who want to see the results.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's just lovely (where "lovely" means "a perfect example of the species").

[cellio]

and will also prevent me from thwacking you with my elbow as I strive to get to or from work.

Or at least reduce the odds somewhat. No promises, after all. :-)

Yeah, we get the same kinds of things with our hordes of new students, too. You just don't go into Oakland during the last week of August or first week of September if you can help it. Let 'em sort it out on their own. I pity the people who don't have a choice in the matter.

I don't know if this is a problem in Boston, but I'd add one more:

6. It's admirable that you want to get around on a bike instead of in a car. Remember, though, that you are traffic. That means two things: (1) those bright red things overhead (they're called "traffic lights", and red means "not your turn, doofus") apply to you, and (2) traffic belongs on roads, not on the sidewalks.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

You're right - they may still feel the Wrath of the Flying Elbow, but it does reduce the likelihood.

And, yeah - cyclists are a problem here, too. And their riding on the sidewalks and running red lights drive me nuts.

[farwing.livejournal.com]

I actually yelled (okay, swore) at a cyclist who ran a red light and nearly flattened me outside of Park Street last week...

a tangent

[42itous.livejournal.com]

I was riding on a narrow street recently, and as often happens, the car behind me was pissed that she was stuck behind a puny little person-powered vehicle. So when the street got wider and she was able to pass me, she yelled out her window, "ON THE SIDEWALK!!"
This made me amused and furious at the same time, if that's possible. A block later, I passed her as she joined a long line of cars stuck behind someone making a left turn, and I fervently wished I had with me one of those "Share the Road" bumper stickers. I would've slapped it on her bumper -- property laws be damned!-- and ridden off into the sunset.

Re: a tangent

[gingicat]

*nod* I admire the bicyclists who use the street, per vehicle laws, in places where the sidewalk would actually be safer for them (Comm Ave between Kenmore and Brighton Ave, the BU Bridge, etc...)

Re: a tangent

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I have no argument with the folks who are riding sanely. It's the ones who are dangerous to themselves, the pedestrians, and the drivers that I have issues with.

[gingicat]

This is why I walk around BU when running errands rather than taking the B line. It's even worse when you're between Hynes (Berklee School of Music) and Packards Corner.

Oh, and you forgot:
"Hi, in Boston, bicycles are vehicles. That means they belong in the STREET, not on the sidewalk. Why yes, that does mean you're competing with crazy Boston drivers for street space. Have an nice day."

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Having been a BU student, I know the crazy traffic patterns there. I was actually out there today (I had an errand at EMS in West Campus), and I observed all within the span of two minutes: crazy pedestrians, crazy drivers, and crazy cyclists. There were safe pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists as well, but their jobs were made harder by the ones who were being irresponsible.

[dancingdeer.livejournal.com]

Bicycles are allowed on sidewalks except in some town/business centers. My rule is to ride in the street, as much like a real vehicle as I can manage, unless it's extremely unsafe or I need to go lock up somewhere, and if I'm on a sidewalk among pedestrians, I ride like a pedestrian (slowly, carefully, etc).

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I have no doubt that you ride sanely. :-) It's the folks who (a) consider my being on the sidewalk a bother to them or (b) are on the road but not obeying the rules of the road with whom I have a beef.

Oh - and the idiot (whom I've seen a couple of times in Kendall Square) riding without a helmet and talking on his cellphone. He's just an accident looking for a place to happen.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

At least it's not September 1 yet... I think we counted 28 moving trucks in a 3-block area last year.

[(Anonymous)]

I've covered two more points in my blog (http://jemimap.ficml.org/wordpress/2004/08/30/beware-of-bedbugs/):

7. Beware of the bedbugs.

8. Danger Third Rail.

--jemima

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I wasn't aware of the bedbug problem, so thanks for that info.

As for the Third Rail, yeah - there's big honkin' signs in the T to warn people. You'd think they'd figure it out.

[(Anonymous)]

I caught this from a boston blogs site, and I wanted to commend you on addressing what I like to call "Rush Hour T Etiquette." I formed most of my ideas while riding the 57 to Oak Square in Brighton; the bus has a whole host of particular concerns, mostly because you're above ground for the whole ride. Even still, I think there's some general applicability.

1. Check your headphones--no one else should be able to hear your music. They're headphones because they're for your head and ears. If other people were meant to listen, they'd be called speakers.

2. Please refrain from using your cell phone for extended periods of time, or think twice about your self-importance when you talk at length for an "emergency call," between 7-9am and 5-7:30 pm. I don't care what you're having for dinner, or that your partner can't find the right pasta sauce (yes, now the whole bus knows it's in aisle 11), or what a bitch your office-mate was today, or what bar you're going to tonight. Seriously, folks--you'll be off in 20 minutes, can't it wait? We're all tired, so show a little love.

3. Move. Into. The. Center. Of. The. Vehicle. Don't crowd by the door with all 15 of your floor-mates.

Whew--that felt good. I'm smittysmith.blogspot.com, btw.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Hey, welcome, and thanks. I had no clue I'd been blogged until you mentioned it.

Yeah - I frequent the 66, not the 57, but the rules still apply. All three are endemic to travelling through areas that are heavily populated by students (though I've had the same issues with well-dressed, upstanding-looking businessfolk on the bus. Especially that woman sharing all the details of her love life...more than I wanted to know about a total stranger, I tell you).