Unsuck DC Metro: Rider Hall of Shame: Seatard II

Friday, September 16, 2011

Rider Hall of Shame: Seatard II

Via @ReignOfApril There isn't enough Noxzema in the world to get that face clean. Three seats! http://yfrog.com/mg4i3cj. @UnsuckDCMetro

Complete Hall of Shame

Other items:
Track work this weekend (WMATA)
Metro alters bus routes (WMATA)
Employee "fired" for taking home vehicle (Examiner)
Horrific bus stop assault (WaPo)
Woman claims assault by Metro police (Hollaback)
Paris experiments with phones as travel passes (Springwise)

Comments (32)

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-7 Vote up Vote down

@ryan2499 · 705 weeks ago

I wish you could choose another word instead of a variant of the word "retard" in your headline. It's hurtful to people with special needs, their families and friends. But yes, this guy is ridiculous.

11 replies · active 705 weeks ago

+12 Vote up Vote down

JoeB · 705 weeks ago

just curious, when did it become non-PC to use the word "retard". I am aware of it, but wondered when the change came...

-7 Vote up Vote down

@ryan2499 · 705 weeks ago

Over the last number of years as the special needs community began finding its voice to speak up about it. At Special Olympics we changed our language from 'mental retardation' to 'people first language' (ie - people with intellectual disabilities) in 2004. In 2008 we launched our R-word campaign. You can check out www dot r - word dot org to learn more. Thanks.

+8 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 705 weeks ago

I don't know......I still like "retard" better. "People with intellectual disabilities" is way too much of a mouthful. Especially after downing a few brewskies.

J/K, Ryan....J/K.........!

+7 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 705 weeks ago

That's gay!

+19 Vote up Vote down

DCRider · 705 weeks ago

It's hurtful to *some* people. I have a cousin with special needs and most members of my family has a sense of humor and recognizes that things like this aren't directed at him.

-6 Vote up Vote down

specialolympicsblog 88p · 705 weeks ago

I'm happy for your family member it doesn't offend. To each their own. But nonetheless to many the use of the word, or variants thereof, perpetuate stereotypes of people with special needs as lesser human beings. When you use their medical diagnosis as an insult (whether directed at them or not) it simply portrays an attitude that you think they are less valuable human beings. I'm not gonna turn this board into a debate about this issue, and I'm not saying you have to agree with me. But I assume I have as much right to express this opinion to help raise awareness as others do to disagree with it. You can go to www dot r - word dot org to learn more, or just watch the embedded video.

+14 Vote up Vote down

None · 705 weeks ago

But this is the S-word...

+24 Vote up Vote down

Jason Smith · 705 weeks ago

When I was a kid, i was always told sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

Somehow we've become a country offended by nearly EVERY word.

Toughen up America!

Good grief.

+14 Vote up Vote down

n2deep · 705 weeks ago

isn't saying the r- word just as bad? everyone knows what your intent is, just like saying the n- word. either way i am tired of everyone being offended by everything. offended? don't read it.
or be like ol' rev Al who is OUTRAGED!!! at everything. after the first 100 times someone is offended or outraged it just doesn't mean anything anymore.

+8 Vote up Vote down

DCRider · 705 weeks ago

You have no idea what my attitude is or what the intent of my words are, so don't project whatever your issues are onto me. You ARE turning this board into a debate because you're assuming that any sarcastic statement has something to do with you and your pet project.

I think you should take a page out of the book from that girl from the down syndrome episode of Family Guy and chill out.

+11 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 705 weeks ago

How come "Honkie" wasn't included in that video....or "Cracker?

I guess they're OK, still.

+10 Vote up Vote down

None · 705 weeks ago

PC police woooo wooooo

2 replies · active 705 weeks ago

-11 Vote up Vote down

@ryan2499 · 705 weeks ago

Ah yes, the omnipresent "None" or "Anon" comment. Congrats on your bold statement, sir. (Ma'am?)

+15 Vote up Vote down

None · 705 weeks ago

Geez....Ryan's such a retard....

How's THAT for a bold statement?

+17 Vote up Vote down

basilcronus · 705 weeks ago

It would be so funny if people actually sat down on this person. Oh sorry, didn't see you there.

1 reply · active 705 weeks ago

+7 Vote up Vote down

Ever and Anon · 705 weeks ago

You had to say that... just had to... now the thought percolates in my wee widdle brain with delightful glee. :D

+9 Vote up Vote down

John · 705 weeks ago

Should start getting more pics of those snobby "first class" metro riders who block the outside seat during rush hour. Those people drive me nuts.

9 replies · active 705 weeks ago

+4 Vote up Vote down

guest · 705 weeks ago

One thing I've never understood is why people don't ask the first class riders to move or let them in. You ever been sitting on the aisle and the window gets off, say, the stop before yours? Sure, you could move over, but that is the seat you were sitting in. If someone wants in, then let them in. Is it more courteous to let someone in on request, or move over and then have to ask them to send up a minute or two later?

+10 Vote up Vote down

John · 705 weeks ago

What about the first class riders who's precious bag needs to sit in the aisle seat? what about them?

+10 Vote up Vote down

dddddda · 705 weeks ago

Ask them to move their bag, and if they refuse/ignore you, pick it up and drop it in their lap. They usually jump when you touch it, and then you've got their attention and can say, again, "please move your bag so I can sit down."

The one I've seen a lot lately is attempting to reserve the outside seat with a FREE NEWSPAPER (typically while reading a copy of the same newspaper). I sat next to a girl who was attempting to reserve her seat with an Express the other day (while also reading the Express). In the aisle seat was an absolutely pristine copy of the Express - not even wrinkled from being folded, all the pages perfectly aligned - so I find it *really* hard to believe she didn't place it there trying to keep people from sitting next to her. I did what I always do, picked it up, tossed it in my bag to recycle at my destination, and sat down. Shove your dirty look, if you want to ride solo, drive.

-1 Vote up Vote down

dcn8v · 705 weeks ago

In a defense of outside seat sitters: After having been assaulted on the Metro, It's disconcerting and nerve-wracking to be blocked into a seat if I'm against the window. Accounts like this one from just a couple of months ago are all too common:
http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/2011/07/more-pe...

If I haven't already noticed you eyeing the seat and offered to stand so you can get in, just tell me that you'd like to sit, and I'll gladly stand up and let you take the window. I also always stand until the car is less crowded, and there is less need to share a seat with someone. But the next time you decide to give someone the evil eye about sitting in the outside seat, stop and ask yourself if there might be a reason for it.

THIS, Metro, is why we would all prefer bench-style seating.

0 Vote up Vote down

stephanie · 705 weeks ago

THIS. I usually try for the first seat (with no seat in front of it). Since I board at Vienna at 5:45 am, I can usually get it. So in that case I will take the window seat, unless the heat is working overtime. In the afternoons I stand. If I do sit elsewhere, I will sit on the outside, but I'm happy to let you in to take the inside seat. Although, if I did happen to get trapped and I needed to escape, I'd have no problem stepping on their balls to get away. If you harass and assault me, you won't be needing them anyway.

+14 Vote up Vote down

@VeggieTart · 705 weeks ago

Okay, but you edgehogs are really annoying. Do you think I want to have to step over you twice because you have to have the freaking aisle seat? There was one time I was boarding a train at Clarendon and riding to Rosslyn (I had to run a quick appointment at the Apple store there). So I get on the train, and it isn't too crowded, but all the rows of seats have at least one person. So I go to one seat, where a woman is sitting on the aisle. She insists I sit at the window. I said, "I'm only going TWO stops." I had to climb over her twice.

If I can figure out a way, I'm going to step on or whack with my bag people who make me climb over them twice.

And I agree that bench seating would be so much better than transverse seating so I don't have to deal with people like you.

+20 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 705 weeks ago

You should have gone in/out with your butt in her face----and farted. Twice.

0 Vote up Vote down

UnSuck Fan · 705 weeks ago

Okay, I know this is wrong, but I figure (since I've had to do the same thing as well though for a longer distance) you're inconveniencing me not once, but twice, I'm returning the favor by crawling over the person both times.

+2 Vote up Vote down

DC denizen · 705 weeks ago

Bag whacking and foot stomping can easily be avoided if the aisle sitter steps into the aisle to make room for you to slide in/out unimpeded (which is the courteous thing to do if you're going to sit on the aisle). I've got no problems with people sitting on the aisle as long as they move to let me in/out when I ask. If they just do that half-stand thing and don't move into the aisle, I'll ask them to step out so that I can get past them.

But in that situation, why make a fuss over seating for just two stops? Not unless I had a broken leg, in which case I'd be angling for the handicapped seating. Sorry. Seating for people with disabilities. Wait- I'd probably be hobbling around on the street level because the elevator wouldn't be working.

Relax. Not everyone is out to ruin your commute.

+9 Vote up Vote down

Johnny · 705 weeks ago

This morning on the red line to Glenmont I was on a packed train. A regular unassuming woman had the window seat and her bags taking the aisle seat. People would look but not say anything. I can't believe that no one asked her to move there things. I find it so strange that people just let these things go.

1 reply · active 705 weeks ago

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UnSuck Fan · 705 weeks ago

What I don't understand is why people have to take up TWO seats with themselves and their stuff! During the holidays, I've had to stuff myself into a seat with my usual work bag (which is a large backpack), an extra large reusable bag stuffed with containers of baked goods, and a purse! All three items plus myself are squeezed into ONE side, thank you very much!!

+3 Vote up Vote down

One take · 705 weeks ago

This is truly a classy young lady – the kind you bring home to meet the family.
The next day, she probably went to go and see “How Does She Do It?” and told herself.
“Liiiiike, My Gaaaawd, they made a movie about me!”
Giggles.

+10 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 705 weeks ago

Has that person NEVER seen some of the asses that have occupied a Metro seat before? Yuck!

+7 Vote up Vote down

hrh king friday 13 · 705 weeks ago

Only in DC would the first post on a blog like this be some jerk complaining about the word "seatard." I mean, who gives a fck about mentally disabled sea animals.