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

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.