Trains Torched in Cape town

[AntiGanda]

As much as I share your anger and frustration and anger at the terrible state of the trains, I feel you are a somewhat off with your comment about the "masses". I also travel by train daily (Metro Plus) and am as appalled. The cut seats, the stickers, the f#cking singers...

But hear me out. Sometimes in the past, when working a bit late, I've taken a Metro carriage when Metro Plus is a little too empty for my liking. You know what, the seats are hard but people are just people, going home from work or trying to get from A to B.

Now consider this anecdotal incident. I have a German colleague to also travels in by train daily. Last week I saw her and (white saffa) husband on the train into town. The train was pretty full, they were seated, and he had his face in his phone, dirty crocs up on the seat opposite him, while all around people were standing. A lady had to ask him to put his feet down, and then had to wipe the seat so as to not dirty her skirt. No he's not the type to be cutting up seats, but he was certainly being rude and dirty. Yet his wife is one of the first to complain about the poor, uneducated masses. Knowing her as I do, I'd be willing to take a bet that they see themselves as above the "masses".

"Gat-trekkers" come in all shapes and sizes. We ARE the masses. When we stop this "us and them" mentality then maybe we can actually get to fixing some *****. This is not intended as a rant at you, btw.

Feet on seats is very common. The ticket collectors long ago use to be quite strict, now everything is tolerated. Probably a microcosm of of SA society really.

 

[Istari.6]

That is probably an exception to the rule. Most of those people aren't on the same level as middle to upper class people. It is a generalisation but just read the news daily and see what I mean. Constant disrespect for common property.

You miss my point. This rule you speak of exists in your mind, and serves to justify your own prejudices. What's wrong with simply viewing everyone with respect, regardless of whether you think they are on a "lower level" to your elevated self, until they give you reason to do otherwise? I've always been taught to treat people as you find them and I'm the happier for it.

 

[Diesal]

Feet on seats is very common. The ticket collectors long ago use to be quite strict, now everything is tolerated. Probably a microcosm of of SA society really.

When they check (albeit not very regularly) for tickets they still ask people to take thier feet of the seats.

 

[Istari.6]

When they check (albeit not very regularly) for tickets they still ask people to take thier feet of the seats.

This is true. It wasn't so much his feet on the seat that bothered me though. It was the fact that he was so inconsiderate towards his fellow commuters that he would have someone stand, in a crowded train, while he sprawled himself out.

Nee man. This kind of behaviour becomes the norm when people start to think of themselves as superior to the next person, and it sucks.