Do you think that public transportation (buses, subways, trains) where you live is unpleasant to ride? After reading "A Civilized Suggestion," do you think that New York's subway is less pleasant than the subway or bus in other cities? What makes you think so?
Which opinion do you agree with? Why?
A. We need more police to make people more polite.
B. We need more rules to make people more polite.
C. We just need to remember our manners.
I apparently broke a rule while riding a public bus in Okinawa. I was talking on a cel phone! I was getting some seriously dirty looks, but I didn't know why. Nowhere was there a pictoral-type of poster indicating "no cel phone use". I think that it was a cultural rule that the locals were aware of. Only when my daughter told me (I was talking to her!) did I realize that I was breaking a rule. Was this related to manners? I don't think so. All of the people on the bus could have been talking to their travelling companions, making more noise than I was. I think that we have enough rules. I guess that leaves enforcement. So put me down for more security.
ReplyDeleteMom.
Thanks for your comment, mom.
ReplyDeleteImagine if a bus "security" guard busted you for speaking on your cell phone on the bus in Okinawa! Ha!