Cat on the Rail

This morning would have been an ordinary journey if I wasn't reminded of how people who have a seat "encourage" people who join the train. This came to mind because I get the seat of my choice where the train begins its journey, & I usually get four stations worth of loneliness (others might say "peace"). I usually look up towards the front of the train as people get on, with my bag already on my lap. If anyone comes up from behind me, then I'm ready anyway.
This morning, there was a slightly pregnant woman walking down the aisle. I looked up, caught her eye (thinking the inane "Oh look, she's pregnant."), & she sat down beside me. It's kind of like dealing with cats (for those who have had them). A cat will stare down people who are afraid of cats. If you're sitting, then the cat will stare at you until you look away, & then land in your lap, thus dominating you. Pregnant women must be cats.
Normally, I'd be afraid that the pregnant woman, plus her bag(s) would end up taking over, but this one was small, & we shared the seat quite comfortably.

I could take some time to categorise the passengers waiting for a friend.

• lonely bagger - the person who puts their bag beside them to cover another seat on its own
• double bagger - the person who has multiple items strewn across seats
• chillaxed - the person who puts their feet up on the seat in front, headphones blaring, "asleep"
• phat - the person who fills up more than one seat even without a bag - just by their position or dirty looks
• knobbly - the man (always) who slouches in a seat so that his knees touch the seat opposite
• wide - the man (always) who must have his legs spread to ninety degrees
• belligerent - the person who won't move their bag unless you to sit on it
• expectant - the one who is minding seats for someone who never seems to arrive
• fumer - the person who, even after reluctantly moving their bag, thinks they shouldn't have to nurse it
• stuck - the person who makes you climb over them to get to (or get out of) a non-aisle seat
• overly-generous - the person who moves away rather than has you sit next to them (usually on the way home, as the train empties)

These people are funny. I laugh inside & try not to laugh out loud at them. They need social adjustment.