On Saturday Minneapolis' light rail system opened a new segment, serving the airport and the Mall-O (Mall Of America). Yesterday I rode the Hiawatha line to check out its 5 new stations, despite the objections of my grrrrl Connie ("Why don't you wait till you actually have to go to the airport or mall?"). Now being the fan of light rail that I am I've got to check it out while the paint's fresh, right?!
Of the 5 new stations, only one (Airport-Lindbergh Terminal) was really interesting, maybe because it's unique in that it's the only one that's underground, like my favorite Atlanta MARTA station, Peachtree Center. MARTA, by the way, is an acronym for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, but suburbanites call if "Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta." One of them must have been on a trip to The Twin Cities yesterday, as before siting next to me a White woman asked (a bit nervously), "Is anyone sitting here? Can I sit down?" The proper etiquette is to just sit, or -- if someone is sitting on the aisle and the window seat is open -- say "move before I put my foot in yo' ass, fool!" Try it next time you're on the bus or Hi....
Posted by wrjacobs at December 9, 2004 03:15 PM | TrackBackYeah, I've noticed the politeness factor on the H-Line, too. In Portland, people are fairly polite riding the MAX, but they don't ask if a seat is taken. Happy riding!
Posted by: Summer in Portland at December 21, 2004 05:14 PMThat's so strange to me now... someone asking politely if they may sit down. People here (NYC) just sit the hell down and look surprised if you ask first. However, I am continually impressed by the gallantry demonstrated on the subways and elevators -- men often will offer a women their seat (happened to me recently in fact) and will usually wait in an elevator to allow the woman to exit first before they follow behind. I never experienced that in 8 years of Minneapolis living, even being a mass-transiter. I guess in NYC people figure that 8 million of us have to get along somehow so at least the genders will do their best to accommodate each other chivalrously.
Posted by: vix at December 11, 2004 11:53 PM