I Think I Can, I Know I Can’t

I live about 30 minutes away from Chicago. I love to go to the city but I hate the city traffic. Most of the time, I take the train. By now, I’m fairly familiar with the CTA and Metra. Trains in Japan are a whole different beast. Rules are completely different.

No one really talks on the train. Those who do talk, talk pretty quietly to their friend who’s next to them. Most people will be on their phones. This fact is not just restricted to the younger generation. I’ve seen many middle-aged people playing what looks like Candy Crush on their phones. The single-minded focus that people can have on their phones in the trains can be kind of astonishing. You quickly learn that the commute to school is the prefect time to get that reading done.

Try not to eat on the train. I have seen Japanese people break this rule, but I would try not to in general. I mean, if you’re going to faint from hunger, by all means. Food can be messy and trains in Japan, unlike most of the ones in America, are kept clean. Personally, I feel horrible when I make a mess in a practically spotless room. Also, it’s an enclosed space. Food can stink up a room, so be considerate of your fellow passengers. The same rule applies to drinks. I mean, trains move, so the chance of you spilling your drink is high. Be kind to your fellow passengers and wait until the station before you decide to eat or drink anything.

Keep your things out of the way. This way, people have space to sit or stand. When you have a seat, keep your bag on your lap or in the compartment above the seats. While standing, keep your bag tucked between your feet or slide it in a compartment, if they’re empty. Some people like to swing their backs to their front, in order to not accidentally swing their bag into someone’s face. Trains get crowded pretty often. Keeping your bag out of the way helps fit in even more people.

Moving onto the famous rush hour of Japan. We’ve all heard of the famed packed in, like sardines, train cars, as the salary men come out of work. There’s some truth there. Rush hour is usually around seven to eight in the morning and seven to eight at night. There are station men who will pop in during this time to push passengers into the train. For those of you who have anxiety or claustrophobia or something similar, try and avoid this time. For others, get prepared for an uncomfortable ride. The best way to get through is to close your eyes. Just remember everyone else is pretty much about as comfortable as you are. A good trick is to get a standing space between two people sitting if you can. It’ll give you a little bit of breathing room. I have not experienced the brunt of rush hour yet, but this is some advice gathered from fellow friends who have.

The train experience can seem a bit stricter than in America, but all in all the trains in Japan are way more convenient and comfortable. I think the trade offs are worth it.