Let\u2019s get the positive stuff out of the way first. I like trains, provided that I can get a seat.\u00a0 I especially like long train journeys in first class – I get a reasonable cup of tea, a fairly peaceful journey and I can read the paper.<\/p>\n
I hate the underground.\u00a0 It\u2019s smelly, stifling and there\u2019s nothing to look at except for the armpits of ones fellow travellers as they grasp the hand rails (there\u2019s never room to sit).<\/p>\n
I hate buses but, since I live beyond the reach of the underground, they\u2019re a necessary nuisance.\u00a0 I particularly dislike many of my fellow passengers and, in particular, the spineless wimps who put up with hooliganism meekly – or, worse yet, thank me when I don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Strangely enough, I don\u2019t particularly hate the inconsiderate \u2018yoofs\u2019 who do so much to ensure that bus rides are as unpleasant as possible.\u00a0 I was yoofish once and, whilst I never graffitied or listened to my music at disturbing volumes (mainly because I didn\u2019t have the means), I\u2019m aware that I was probably quite unpleasant in my own way.<\/p>\n
No, I hate the spineless wimps who won\u2019t stand up for peace, quiet and good manners.\u00a0 Their excuse is inevitably that they don\u2019t want to get stabbed or happyslapped.\u00a0 What?\u00a0 And I do?\u00a0 I\u2019m hardly built like a boxer myself – I\u2019m in no position to defend myself from a knife or, worse, a gun.\u00a0 The difference is that I have a healthy sense of perspective and I realise that the chances of being attacked are tiny.\u00a0 Let\u2019s face it, if they weren\u2019t then such attacks would cease to be newsworthy. The streets will, I promise you, be far safer when everybody firmly (but politely) learns to say \u2018excuse me, but would you please stop doing that (whatever it is)\u2019.\u00a0 Trust me. It works. But if you see me doing it and you\u2019re grateful, please don\u2019t thank me. Just remember not to be so much of a coward yourself next time.<\/p>\n
Most of all though, I hate Ken Livingstone for giving free travel to yoofs – come on.\u00a0 Make them pay like everybody else, and put the extra revenue into paying conductors – life will be so much more pleasant for everyone who has to use public transport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Let\u2019s get the positive stuff out of the way first. I like trains, provided that I can get a seat.\u00a0 I especially like long train journeys in first class – I get a reasonable cup of tea, a fairly peaceful journey and I can read the paper. I hate the underground.\u00a0 It\u2019s smelly, stifling and … <\/p>\n