Sheep Nature

I'm reasonably lucky with public transport - I can set my own working hours, so I learn how to avoid the busiest times on the trains. My home station is at the end of the line & not very popular, & my work station(s) are not as bad as some. However, things sometimes happen that expose me to the pushy-shovey-stupid-sheep nature of some commuters.

I was going home the other day when the guard announced that he could smell smoke, & they were stopping at an unexpected station to investigate. After a few minutes, we were asked to get out of the train. That's easy - you get out, you find a piece of platform to wait away from the doors, so that other people can get out behind you, right? No; apparently you mill around the door so that you can be the first person back on the train when the all-clear is given.

This was not a crowded train - I had been very comfortable on a seat of my own. I - & I am sure many others - had no fear of having to stand for any part of the journey. So, why were people standing on the platform in the same way that they would if they were waiting for a train to arrive? Habit? Have they stopped thinking for the day?

The guard went up & down the train, having a good sniff. Some people decided that, after he had passed, it was time for them to get back on board. He chased them out again on his next pass down the train. Again - what were they thinking? Why were they so eager?

In the end, that train left without us. It was one of those rare days when I ended up catching four trains instead of one - the guard on the next train suggested we change for an express train a few stops ahead, & then that next train didn't quite get me home.

This is public transport. It happens a few times a year. It took me twice as long as usual to get home, but so what? That's why I carry a book. It's an interesting deviation from the norm, but it's one I can cope with.