8:25 A.M., 34 Eglinton East bus. The vehicle is performing its usual rush hour imitation of a sardine can. I'm standing in the aisle, trying to stay out of the way of others. A passenger sitting behind me gets off at Dunfield Avenue, one stop before my usual jumping-off point. Since it won't be long before I make my exit, I keep standing—someone heading into Eglinton station can take it for a quick rest. A younger man, maybe late 20s, professional-looking, asks me if I want to take the seat. I tell him that's OK, I'm getting off at the next stop. He sits down and makes the following comment with a sing-song inflection in his voice:
"I'm getting off soon too, but you could have sat down and made room for other people!"
I do not react. I make my way to the rear to get off at Yonge Street, slightly stunned by his response. Yup, sitting down for two seconds then pushing my way back out would have significantly raised the comfort level of my fellow passengers.
***
Walking towards my office, I think about recent posts on websites where anonymous commentators spew pure vitriol towards TTC employees in the wake of the current safety poster campaign. They feel as if they are being treated like little children, but I wonder if these are the same passengers who treat other riders like crap for minor indiscretions or things that would only bother them. That these are the people who refuse to move their seat-occupying bags to allow worn-out riders to sit on a crowded vehicle. That refuse to move further back when the front of the bus has no breathing room. That threaten operators when they are late by one second.
Ah, humanity...
