Anger Management

Is it just me or does it seem like there are a lot of angry people out there these days? Maybe it's the changes in the barometric pressure caused by the big storms along the east coast, maybe it's the heat and humidity, and maybe it's the economy or the pressures of following the presidential campaigns.  People out there are just not happy. I say this because in the past week and a half I have had one guy give me the finger while I stood on the curb waiting to cross the street; on one road two drivers gave me the single-digit wave as I took my son to school and I can take blame on only one occasion because I missed their turn signal and sort of cut them off...sorry. On the Orange Line the other day a woman barked at me because she thought the bag on the floor next to me was mine and it was blocking her path as she pulled a suitcase large enough to smuggle a year's supply of puppy chow down to Michael Vick's house. When the person next to me reached down to move the bag the angry woman turned her wrath on her.

I know that times are tough. I know that we all have a lot on our minds as children head back to school.  Many of us have to watch our pennies a little closer, but is that a reason to lose our civility? It's kind of like that issue of using handicapped parking spaces from the other day. Just because we think we are too busy to park at a legal space that's a bit farther away or because we are having a bad day doesn't mean that we should take it out on those around us.

The Washington region has had a reputation for having some of the rudest people in the country. Maybe we can change that and be happier about ourselves one incident at a time. My goal is to think before I act in anger. I know my doctor will be a lot happier if I do and, in the end, so will I.

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Over in England the Oyster Card is the coin of the commuting realm. It can be used to pay fares on the subway, commuter rail and a few other modes as well. It's been around for five years or so and has been one of the world leaders in electronic toll payment. It's sort of where the SmarTrip card was supposed to be in this region except for all of the jurisdictional foot dragging and infighting. Now, it looks like the Oyster Card may become obsolete. No, the system isn't being shuttered, it's actually becoming more mobile. The chip that makes the Oyster Card work will be added to mobile phones for customers who are tired of having to reach in their purses or pockets to get the card before they swipe it. Since so many people carry mobile phones the thinking is that this is just a convenience and I suppose it is. I'm also a little bit jealous. I wish that our Metro system could move a little faster at making advances in things like passenger information and payment systems. More and more it seems like that's just asking too much.

Comments

[Thomas]

OK, so am I the only one who thought this AM's commute was a cluster-f***? Yeah, most of us knew that the Pentagon Bus station was closed, but WMATA and DASH both said our regular buses were headed for Pentagon City. Not so, I found out. They took us alll the way to Braddock, which was just jammed, and it was obvious these guys did not have their stuff together.
Or maybe I'm just bewildered.

[Gil]

Basically, be it DC or anywhere else, people need to both chill out and grow up. I don't even get mad if someone gives me the finger, and frankly, it's rather laughable and a pathetic display of character on their part. Interestingly enough, these people wouldn't have the stones to actually walk up and do it it someone's face.

If I do piss someone off and they resort to yelling, then, we are done. Have a problem with me and we can discuss it like civil adults, then I'm all ears and ready to resolve it peacefully.

[David]

Here's a great way to channel some anger: don't go shopping till after the election. We can send a message about just how angry we really are by not buying anything between now and then except absolute necessities.

[This I See]

Eh, I'm a cranky commuter myself. Then again, if the MetroBus hadn't whizzed by my stop yesterday with approximately 10 of us waiting for it, I might be less cranky. Metro wants input from commuters on how to make the bus and rails better. How about going back to basics, such as picking up a group of ten people waiting at their designated bus stop.

With that said though, I wouldn't give anyone the finger (though I want to), and I wouldn't yell at anyone on the MetroRail (though I also want to.)

[Katherine]

And another thing to add to the Metro wish list...for the love of all that is holy, get rid of the paper fare cards. Just install the SmartTrip machines in all stations and upgrade everybody.