Some of Cecil’s columns are getting out of date. The article aboutTokyo subway “pushers”, for instance. I rode Tokyo subways every day in the late 80s, and still ride them once in a while. I have never seen an actual Pusher. From what I hear, Tokyo subways are far less congested than in the 70s due to numerous new subway lines being constructed. Of course, we still have to push ourselves hard to get onto the train during rush hours.
There is a new innovation though: trains with no seats. During rush hours most of the seats fold and retract to the ceiling, allowing more passengers to cram in. Trains today also have larger doors - almost half the side of the train is taken up by doors. (The other half, obviously, taken up by the space the sliding doors slide into.)
They DO exist, but “helpers” might be a more apt description.
Their job is to ensure everyone who wants on, gets on. A surprising number of otherwise docile people treat the entrance to a subway car like a mosh pit, and just leap into the crowd blocking the door. Usually this gets a head and possibly an arm stuck in the masses, while the rest of the body sticks out waiting for the pushers.
The pushers also shove coat tails, umbrellas, and handbag straps into the train, so the doors don’t close on them – leaving them dangerously exposed.
I have never seen or heard of anyone being forced on a train against their will.
I’ve also never seen any former sumo wrestlers doing this job (although I admit I’m basing that judgement solely on the fact they’re of normal size and weight). In general they’re fairly old men.
As for the meaning of life, I thought it was “42”.