The 5 types of people you should NEVER be on public transport.

If you follow my Twitter you’ll undoubtedly know that I spend a majority of my time on public transport. Obviously this is prime-time for tweeting lyrics from my Spotify playlist and declaring my love for the bacon, chicken and lettuce sandwich from my Tescos meal deal, duh.

Other than that if you ever find yourself on the 7.22am train from Leicester to Birmingham New Street, look for the girl fast asleep with a pain au chocolat in hand, that will more than likely be me. Whilst we’re on the topic of sleeping on public transport, you know that it’s bad when you’re caught in a lift with your lecturer and he looks at you and says “Yasemin, I just want to congratulate you on your consistent sleeping skills. I was on the same train as you this morning and you didn’t even notice I was sat opposite you, amazing, you didn’t even wake up at the station calls.’

But anyway, let’s move away from my sleeping habits. As I work part time and commute from Leicester to Birmingham City University, I spend at least an hour on the bus every single day *sobs* and when I have university this hour turns into four, ouuuuch!! The timings, yes, are a nuisance alone (9am lectures are a killer and so are 6.30am starts at my job in a coffee shop) but they don’t even compare to the annoyance of fellow commuters.

So yes here I am, writing this as I stand on the Cross-Country line train back from a 3-6pm lecture… (no sleep for me today!)

Let’s discuss the 5 people I find myself coming across on my commute. * side note: You should NEVER follow these types of people as examples.

1 - the ‘so what if I’ve just got to the platform 30 seconds before the train is due, I’m going to stand RIGHT in front of you’ kinda person:

Oh yes these people tend to have a suitcase too and damn they are adamant of being first on the train. I don’t have an issue of people wanting to get a seat, of course we’d all like to but it seems to be a very dog eat dog scenario as the train pulls into the platform. Despite this, scrabbling in front of people waiting patiently is not cool.

I’m one of those people who will wait on the platform for like 20 or so minutes before the train is due and only think it’s really fair that people should respect that. BUT ANYWAY these people don’t, please don’t push past me I’m only 5ft 1!!

2 - the 'I don’t care if you’re not even off the train yet, I’m getting on’ people

These people are cannon balls, as soon as those lights flash for the doors to open they’re off like Mo Farah starting a race and literally see red. The thing that really bugs me is that the people who are already on the train can’t even get off!! It’s simple etiquette really, let the other people off the train before you push yourself on. Surely this will make the whole situation easier for you?

3 - the 'my bag/coat/shopping is more important than your little legs’

Let’s move onto the people and the Primark bag who completely ruin your day. After finally getting onto the train, these kinds of people have to knock you down one more time. There’s nothing worse than approaching a seat to find someone’s shopping bag is sat comfortably next to its dare I say, selfish owner. The carriage is full and these people blissfully sit with their belongings next to them (instead of by their feet or in the overhead storage provided) as you stand next to the toilet comparing your self worth to a brown paper bag, sigh.

4 - the 'I’ll blast Drake at full blast and you’ll have to listen to it’

No, listening to personal music on public transport isn’t a crime but yes there is a line to when this music becomes toooooo loud. We’ll keep this one brief, if you find yourself getting disapproving looks for those around you, turn it down! You are not the carriage’s DJ.

5 - finally 'the ticket master can wait’ kinda person

We all know when the ticket conductor is coming, as if shouting 'TICKET’S PLEASE’ isn’t an obvious given, there’s the people scrambling through their bags as a clear indication and the shuffling about of those standing up. So why oh why does this person think that they won’t have to show their tickets and act somewhat shocked when the ticket master personally asks them?

Feel free to tweet me @yasemingumushan any commuting stories you have or any kinds of people you regularly come across! Happy travelling guys!