# What kind of person sits next to you on a nearly full train? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 17, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-person-sits-next-to-you-on-a-nearly-full-train/593075 "2011-08-17T20:33:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HardlySanguine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HardlySanguine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HardlySanguine)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-person-sits-next-to-you-on-a-nearly-full-train/593075/1 "2011-08-17T20:33:36Z")
I’m asking the question I thought [the other thread was asking](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=620529) (I can’t read). If a train or bus is mostly full, new arrivals look around for a minute and gingerly choose a seat. Or stand. But what sort of people do you attract? Smelly old ladies and the young hipsters with earbuds seem to feel comfortable around me. Are you a magnet for the crazies? ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-person-sits-next-to-you-on-a-nearly-full-train/593075/2 "2011-08-17T22:25:33Z")
Just about anyone, it would seem. The main trains I ride are Chicago’s CTA and DC’s Metro, which both attract quite a diverse crowd. I think people see me as a good seatmate because I am small and quiet and mostly stare out the window. The only time I seem to be singled out is when tourists get on the Metro and want to ask a question; they often look to me probably because I look both harmless and like I know what I’m doing. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-person-sits-next-to-you-on-a-nearly-full-train/593075/3 "2011-08-18T02:26:33Z")
I always have headphones on and am intently staring at my screen. As a result I mostly get either people who don’t want to be disturbed or those who plan to talk loudly enough on their phones that I must restrain myself from beating them with whatever weapon is handy. Luckily my route is rarely even half full. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-person-sits-next-to-you-on-a-nearly-full-train/593075/4 "2011-08-18T20:07:56Z")
Little old ladies mainly, then an even distribution of everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-person-sits-next-to-you-on-a-nearly-full-train/593075/5 "2011-08-18T20:16:09Z")
I don’t think I could name a type. My best answer is “people.” ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-person-sits-next-to-you-on-a-nearly-full-train/593075/6 "2011-08-19T02:25:59Z")
I try and sit in the two-seat benches at the end of trains so I don’t get squished by strangers on both sides, so I usually attract people with asses which spread themselves over to gently push me into the bulkhead. Sometimes it’s also skinny guys who spread their knees so wide you check to see if they have elephantisis, or little kids because I look trustworthy. ---
**Author:** ![Tess\_Trueheart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Tess\_Trueheart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tess_Trueheart)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-person-sits-next-to-you-on-a-nearly-full-train/593075/7 "2011-08-19T02:32:36Z")
Any females, or people in pairs/groups, but only younger males. I’m short and small and have a young face, so older men probably think they’ll scare me?