Using public transport

[Alex]

Do you hate it when someone sits next to you on the bus or train and it makes you feel uncomfortable and you want to move, but feel rude if you do? I always try to find a seat away from people or if people are too noisy I try to stand somewhere quiet.


The old trick of putting you bag on the seat doesn't work when it's crowded and often I have just had to keep it inside me and count the minutes until I can get out. I'm also the one people choose to sit next to, even if there are empty seats, and I keep thinking why me and will them to go to the empty seat elsewhere. It doesn't always work, though! Sometimes it got too bad and I had to get off a stop early and then get back on a quieter train, and that's how I cope when I feel anxious or uncomfortable which could lead to a panic attack.

 

[ReadmeByAmy]

I rarely use a public transport and I am not comfortable riding in a taxi when I am alone. Riding a bus or a subway train will do but as much as possible I will look first at the the people who are inside of this public transport and I always choose to whom I will sit beside to. Sometimes if there still vacant seats and I feel like not sitting to the person I will just choose to stand until I go down of the bus or go out of the subway train. It is because that I am always afraid if I am commuting or travelling alone.

 

[joshposh]

Sitting next to a stranger is always awkward. I really don't have an anxiety with that, but I might have one with the germs that riddle public transportation. You never know what you are touching after another person has been in the spot. People get sick, cough, sneeze. Hell, one time I grabbed the main pole to stand up and I swear it felt like someones saliva. So be careful guys and carry alcohol wipes with you.

 

[gracer]

The old trick of putting you bag on the seat doesn't work when it's crowded and often I have just had to keep it inside me and count the minutes until I can get out. I'm also the one people choose to sit next to, even if there are empty seats, and I keep thinking why me and will them to go to the empty seat elsewhere. It doesn't always work, though! Sometimes it got too bad and I had to get off a stop early and then get back on a quieter train, and that's how I cope when I feel anxious or uncomfortable which could lead to a panic attack.

I used to always do this whenever I travel alone on a bus. I just don't want anyone sitting beside me because I'm more comfortable with just myself whenever I travel alone. But just like what you said, it doesn't always work especially if the bus is too crowded. Unless I would pay for the empty seat myself, but it would look too rude for other passengers so I just have to put up with it. I also would rather just enjoy my silence when I'm traveling, so having a talkative seat mate who won't seem to stop conversing with me until one of us finally gets down the bus is certainly not a pleasant situation for me to be in.

 

[pwarbi]

I have to admit that I'm fortunate enough to have not had to use public transport in a few years as even though I have suffered from anxiety, it as never affected my ability to drive. When it comes to having to sit next to somebody on a train or a bus though, I think everyone would prefer to be able to sit by themselves as w all like to have our own personal space around us, and while it might be OK to sit close to a person we know and trust, we certainly don't want a person we don't invading that space around us.


Walking through a busy shopping centre can also be the same for a lot of people, and it's not the amount of people that's the issue, just the fact that they are in close proximity to you that will cause you to panic or try to avoid being in that situation.

 

[Alex]

If a bus or train is too packed I will skip it, except when I used in live In London I had to cram onto a tube and that was stressful in so many ways. If anyone sneezes near me, well that's just another thing or if they blow their nose or cough. I have been known to offer fellow passengers tissues so they don't have to make those awful sounds to try and keep their bodily fluids in.


When I stand I try not to touch the poles or anything and I use gloves before I get on, or I lean against the door; anything to stop me having to touch something that has germs as I can't really wear black leather gloves in summer!

 

[Sue]

I take public transportation every day and I feel very uncomfortable if somebody sits next to me. If I get on the bus and they are only seats available with people sitting in them I stand up instead. I will not sit with a stranger. I, also, feel really uncomfortable if they try to make conversation with me. I don't do well in those situations. All the time on the bus I am counting down the minutes until I can get off. Most times I will wear earphones that way people don't attempt to talk to me because I am listening to music.

 

[Roscas]

I, too, take public transportation and I am not bothered with people sitting beside me. BUT when I sense the one sitting beside me is up to no good, that is when instinctively I prepare to defend myself. I remember an incident. I was in a public vehicle, travelling, I noticed a man in front of me acting strangely, and the man sitting beside me fidgeting. This sent shivers to my spine. I noticed the man in front of me was reaching for something in his pocket, a gun. The two guys were about to rob us and a couple (I think husband and wife, the wife carrying her baby) stood up, got out and shouted "thieves!" The two guys, taken by surprise, got off, too. At that moment, the driver immediately skidded away. I am grateful to that couple. They kept us safe. That is why I try to pick a good seat - a seat I'd feel safe and not because I do not like others sitting beside me. I don't mind being seated between two commuters but when I can, I choose who I would want to sit beside me.

 

[nikkishea21]

The worst part about it is when the buses become crowded to the point where persons stand and bear their bodies on you even though you are sitting. The person sitting next to me better not expect me to start up a conversation as I usually just do deep thinking when I am in those places and not much talking. If for whatever reason they decide to I just answer with the nod of my head or close my eyes and they stop eventually most time.

 

[CarlosTL]

Do you hate it when someone sits next to you on the bus or train and it makes you feel uncomfortable and you want to move, but feel rude if you do? I always try to find a seat away from people or if people are too noisy I try to stand somewhere quiet.
The old trick of putting you bag on the seat doesn't work when it's crowded and often I have just had to keep it inside me and count the minutes until I can get out. I'm also the one people choose to sit next to, even if there are empty seats, and I keep thinking why me and will them to go to the empty seat elsewhere. It doesn't always work, though! Sometimes it got too bad and I had to get off a stop early and then get back on a quieter train, and that's how I cope when I feel anxious or uncomfortable which could lead to a panic attack.

It depends in busy big cities, people tend to mind their business and not really pay attention, so it doesn't really matter who sits next to you. However in some other setups such as in long rides by the Bus or Train I do dislike and worry about who is going to sit next to me. I particularly try to avoid old women (and old men) as they are the most likely to be chatty. Also young female teens can be difficult.

 

[JusApee]

Sure I do! However, I hate it even more when that person sits right next to me, when there are a lot more seats available (might be window seats as well). I usually have no problem if I'm standing, but if I sit, I get really anxious. I hate people invading my space or getting to close in a bus.

 

[yeppeo]

I used to use the bus to go to university and it was the worst when someone sat next to me, especially when there were other places available. I usually got out in one of the first stops and asking the person to let me go was always a struggle. Still my number one fear when riding the bus was falling when I was standing. Once I also grabbed someone's hair by mistake when I almost fell and that person screamed so loud I spent the next week going home with my friend (he gave me a ride).

 

[amy88]

I've never really been keen with people up in my personal space, and public transport in rush hour basically has that as a requirement. But, one thing I try and remind myself of is that everyone on public transport is seemingly in their own bubble. Often if I am on public transport at a peak time and I look around, everyone is buried in their phones, their newspapers or books, and it's actually a very individual place to be - I've never really seen strangers just strike up conversation on transport! So I guess in a way despite there being people everywhere it's not as daunting as some other situations would be with loads of people everywhere.

 

[Jemina]

Oddly, this has never really made me feel too bad. I used to have to travel on really crowded public transport every single day though, so I suppose I got used to it. I do think it's a bit weird though if someone decides to sit next to me on public transport when there's loads of empty seats. Like if the entire compartment is empty and they sit next to me. That just seems unnecessary and like they're being weird and creepy just because they can.

 

[rz3300]

I am pretty bad in any moving object with other people around me, but it is made even worse if it is crowded and hot, which I am not sure why but are the only times I manage to find myself in this situation. Maybe it is just bad luck, or maybe it is my natural tendencies to make the worst out of everything. It also does not help that the transportation services here are pretty lousy and you have to spend a long time on them to get to your destination, so add impatience to anxiety and nervousness and there you have a pretty accurate portrayal of me on a public bus or train.

 

[kgord]

When I used to have panic attacks, it seemed they almost always happened on some sort of transport. I remember one time I had one on a bus. One time I had one on a plane..another time in a car. I think sometimes that because you feel out of control in a sense because someone else is transporting you, you might have those sorts of feeings. I think a lot of people are anxious when flying, that is why alcohol is sold or some people take medication prior to flying. I think this might not be the best thing but it helps them cope.

 

[Panic57]

I think it depends on how busy the train or bus is. Sometimes it's so full of people that it's rude to put a bag on the seat next to you because it means someone else can't sit there. I feel uncomfortable sitting next to someone I don't know but I feel more uncomfortable being rude. It is like pushing my way into an already stuffed elevator and then putting my bag down so no one can stand next to me. On the other hand, if the bus or train isn't busy and there are clearly other places for them to sit I hate it. I find that you can stare at people without blinking, to get them to move because they will feel uncomfortable. I'm okay with being considered freaky and weird if it gives me space. You never know if the person next to you is a thief, even those cute little old ladies have quick fingers while they fake snore.

 

[justsayyes]

I'm used to being on public transportation. What really bothers me is when people sitting across you stare at you. I'm also constantly worried about people who snatches your things/bags stealthily so i always keep my things close with me when I'm in public transportation.

 

[thecorinthian]

God I feel you I hate public transport not only because when it's full you're shoulder to shoulder with people on the train but you also get sweaty when it's hot and the range of human smells can be suffocating sometimes. It's an anxiety sufferer's worst nightmare. I try to cope with it by listening to music, audiobooks and wearing a face mask sometimes. From experience once you get used to these situations you gradually get used to it and the anxiety goes away.

 

[NormaD]

I rarely ever take public transport for the reason that I hate having people I don't know touch me. That physical contact with someone unfamiliar is really unsettling for me and I don't know if that is part of my anxiety or not.. I am very wary of people around me whenever I'm on public transportation and I always assume that someone is up to something or that they want to start with me in some way. I try to avoid the buses and trains as much as I possibly can .