Changing allegiances.

Well, I have had to bid farewell to Tourettes Man and the other regulars on Route #59. I moved house on Saturday and am now splitting my public transport loyalties between tram AND train (i'm such a rebel).

It is interesting being able to 'compare and contrast' the two modes - and the accepted social standards on both.

On tram, for example, on an empty booth of 2 lots of 2 seats, many people will rather sit next to each other than have to sit opposite one another and risk - god forbid - eye contact. On the upside, if someone with a pram or trundler gets on, others will move to help them without fail.

On a train, however, people seem to consider it their solemn duty to studiously pretend that no one else in the carriage exists...even when they are busy reading the back of those other people's newspapers - a popular past-time for morning commuters. The increased noise also seems to cover a lot of the 'quirks' of many people - you mostly can't hear them talking to themselves. I have often thought though that people with this tendency could just put a hands-free mobile phone earpiece in their ear and blend right in with the rest of the phone enthusiasts - who i personally think look a damn sight more silly because they are CHOOSING to look like they are talking to themselves.

But enough rambling, I have a lecture to prepare and an early train to catch tomorrow. Goodnight.