We talk too much. In that respect, I’m particularly American.
No, no, don’t deny it (not that anyone is), I know this about myself. I’m a “sharer.” An introverted one, which makes me a puzzle to so many, but that’s just how the factory installed my programming.
Anne 2.1
So I find some aspects of British culture surprising, given their reputation for being reserved and private. Case in point, when someone offs themselves on public transport.
The train from York to Edinburgh was running about an hour late. Within a minute of the doors closing after each stop, an announcement would be made, apologizing for the lateness of the service. “This train was delayed, due to a person being hit south of Basingstoke.”
(For sake of thoroughness and truth, it wasn’t Basingstoke, but I can’t remember the town now, sorry.)
Since our part of the journey was 3 hours and 45 minutes, we heard this announcement over and over. It became jarring and then I just stopped visualizing the incident, numbed to the accident.
I understand the need to apologize. I get that people want a reason. But WOW, that’s a lot of information to share. Just three days ago I saw a telly advert for a show about train accidents. The teaser trailer shows infrared-camera footage of a guy stumbling in front of a train, just barely missing getting smeared by it. It felt like watching some action movie deleted scenes reel. The one where the stunt guy screws up, falls over and JUST misses losing a foot. Or a spinal column. But knowing it was real made it hard to watch.
Just yesterday in London, “a passenger went under the train” on the Bakerloo line. They even named the station—though I forget which one it was. Yes, I’ll admit to being curious. Was it intentional or an accident? Was it a man or woman? Gulp. Was it a child? Double gulp. I can’t think about that one.
Since I don’t take trains much in the states, I don’t know what information is and isn’t given about delays. But somehow, I don’t think it would be this detailed. Could it be that even we tactless Americans would show some restraint in a situation like this? I sorta hope so.
My guess is that the explanation is given because it is required by the passengers. People use public transportation so much here that delays can affect a huge amount of people. Customers have come to expect, and receive, consistently on time, courteous service. I’ve always felt that British trains are the best I’ve been on (though I haven’t been to Japan and I suspect they’re amazing). So when they are late, for whatever reason, the railroads feel obliged to apologize and explain.
I’ll never forget being delayed at Newcastle about 20 years ago. It was a lovely, sunny day. The train arrived in the station, passengers disembarked, new passengers shuffled on… and the doors did not close. After a few minutes, people started grumbling and talking amongst themselves. After two more minutes (we were sitting in the station for no more than seven minutes at this point), a British Rail employee made an announcement that our arrival in London was to be delayed four minutes.
From the sighs and groans, you’d have thought he said four hours! It was pretty funny to me. But, if you’re used to perfection, you expect it all the time.
Good thing I’m not perfekt.
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