About that dude sitting behind me
I'm sitting on the Gold Line and I'm pretty sure it's not humanly possible to chew gum louder than the dude in the nice suit behind me. I mean every time his jaw moves I can almost see a cloud of pink bubble gum exhaust drift forward.
Thank goodness the iPod was in the bag.
I love taking mass transit.
I love taking mass transit.
I love taking mass transit.
I love...
--Steve Hymon
photo: Steve Hymon / LAT
Headphones are the way to go. Spend a little extra and you cant hear all of the MTA insanity - just your music or news podcast of choice. I agree the noise isolating headphones are the best.
Posted by: eric | July 23, 2008 at 01:23 PM
"Or maybe the MTA needs to ban gum like it has food and drinks."
Haha like that would accomplish anything. I was on the 20 one day when a wino gets on and uncorks a whole bottle of champagne. Some of it goes flying and hits the floor, some empty seats, and the area in the back of the bus starts smelling like the stuff. He takes a few swings and slumps over, taking a few more drinks every few stops.
I've seen people get on the 20 with a grocery bag filled with bread, mayo, and lunch meat, and proceed to make whole sandwiches. And this was in the handicapped seating area right next to the driver.
Funny stuff.
Posted by: Spokker | July 23, 2008 at 01:14 PM
I was on a Foothill Transit bus the other day and there was a guy in the back who was obviously completely crazy who was ranting loudly away about demons after him and spouting all kinds of racist stuff.
I finally couldn't take it anymore and turned around and gave him a polite 'shush' gesture.
"Oh, you don't want to hear THE WORD OF GOD?!?!?!" he screamed at me.
It got worse from there.
The guy next to me whispered, sarcastically, "Hey, thanks a lot. You really helped."
Sometimes, you just have to take it because, well, that's the deal with mass transit. It's MASS transit. The masses are going to have a certain tiny percentage who are crazy, loud, rude or dangerous.
Posted by: David Raether | July 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
You gotta get a pair of noise isolating headphones... they don't even have to be noise canceling, just the ones that give you an airtight seal puts you in another world. They are the best $25 I have ever spent (Sennheiser CX300s).
These things are so amazing that I don't even notice loud noises (arguments, kids, etc) until I see other people turn towards that direction.
Posted by: Stephen | July 23, 2008 at 08:34 AM
That happened to me too. A few weeks ago the woman behind me was snapping away. I half turned and glanced toward her, hoping she'd get the hint but it didn't work. It's amazing how irritating little noises like that can be. I know I can sometimes be a loud gun chewer so after that I vowed to not chew gum on the bus or train, lest I'm unable to control myself and understandably draw the ire of those around me. Here's an idea: what if everyone took that pledge. Or maybe the MTA needs to ban gum like it has food and drinks.
Posted by: Amanda | July 22, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Riding on public transit with obnoxious gum chewers or loud cell phone talkers is no different than driving on the roads with arrogant and aggressive motorists who blast their music loud, swerve in an out of lanes, doing make-up, talk on their cell phones like their having an important conversation with the President and or God knows what else.
The difference between the two is that gum chewer will least likely going to get you in an expensive accident with a two-ton vehicle because of the loss of focus.
Just sit back, turn up the music (or chew louder than he does so he gets the point) and enjoy the ride.
Posted by: Jerard | July 22, 2008 at 11:21 PM