There have been several news items lately about the Reader's Digest article 'Uncommon Courtesy'. Lots of cross grumbling from those cities that did badly in the league of good manners and a certain smug delight from those who did better. I have no intention of revuing the article or going over the results. Many people have already made a better job of that task than I could. Instead, I thought I would share an incident that shows both the best and the worst of the traveling public.
Early last year I went to London to visit Tate Modern. By the time I finally boarded a train to return home, I was exhausted and in substantial pain. My back problem makes both standing and walking for any length of time difficult, gallery visits somewhat frustrating. There is only a limited amount I can manage to see in one trip.
I was looking forward to the journey home, it was an opportunity to rest and recuperate as long as I did not sit in one place for too long, which can also be problematic. Unfortunately, it soon became obvious that getting home was not going to be as straight forward as it should have been. Two or three hours after boarding the train we had only managed to travel a few miles. The rail company, unable to solve an electrical problem with the line, announced that all passengers would have to leave the train and continue their journeys by road. Coaches would be supplied as soon as possible.
In the best British tradition of queuing, we formed an orderly line just outside a very cold railway station and waited. And waited. And waited. By the time the promised coaches arrived, I was beginning to wonder if I would be able to walk the short distance to board. Leaning heavily on my stick, I took a tentative step forward, the queue dissolved, and I found myself swept up in a crush of people all determined to be first to get on the bus.
With a growing feeling of both anger and desperation, I struggled to stay on my feet. Pain made tears sting my eyes and quite frankly I felt frightened as I was buffeted about by single minded strangers. I was almost there when another push from someone toppled me over and I fell heavily. That was when the unbelievable happened. The crowd kept coming. All I could see were feet and suitcases as people stepped over and on me. I was really crying now, although as much from anger and shock as anything else.
Suddenly a young woman shouted that someone had fainted and bent over me. I remember saying indignantly that I not fainted! She kept shouting at the driver until finally he made the crowd stop and take a step back as she helped me to my feet, took my bag and helped me onto the coach.
When I think about that experience, I remember that young woman. Her kindness and the way she chatted cheerfully with me for the rest of the journey. I wish I could say thank you.
Sadly, the experience has placed further restrictions on my life. I have not visited London again by train and feel reluctant to do so. In the best of circumstances I find crowds difficult to cope with, railway staff have proved themselves far from helpful, and the incident could have been so much worse without the kindness of a stranger.
Tags: trains, travelling, strangers, kindness, manners, courtesy, disabled, disability