Originally Posted by
evergrn
So you're now saying strollers are generally okay on the train, or maybe you're saying strollers are okay as long as it's not rush-hour.
I have never said otherwise. I indicated and still think that it is important to consider how much you take up and how you might minimize that impact on others. The key is thinking of how you impact others rather than how others impact you. That is the essential difference between manners here and the US. Having lived in both places for long periods of time I can attest to that.
Mothers with kids, etc. do have limitations on how much they can minimize things but they should certainly try to do so in the same way a person carrying a large box or bag might need to do when returning from a shopping expedition.
Originally Posted by
evergrn
It's usually something along the lines of a person saying to me "I can't get by with this thing in my way" with a definite tone of attitude when she could've said to me "Sumimasen, I'm getting off here." Sometimes it's more subtle like stares.
I would be astounded if a Japanese person in public were to say "I can't get by with this thing in my way". That is just out of line with the manners here. Confrontation is always avoided if possible.
Originally Posted by
evergrn
I think even the Silver Seat compliance in Tokyo is somewhat questionable. But fine, if you're talking about Silver Seats, I do see folks being more conscientious about doing the right things. But how often do you see people give up a seat that's a regular seat?
The whole reason they are always in the same location is so people in those circumstances cab avail themselves of these seats. Anyone needing such a seat and not boarding the train where they are takes 100% of the responsibility.
In Boston or HKG I do not know if they have the equivalent of Silver Seats, but if they do not it makes sense that one might expect to see regular seats given up instead.
Originally Posted by
evergrn
No one would offer my wife a seat on trains in Tokyo when she was pregnant. When we get on Yamanote in Nippori with 2 little kids and luggage, you can bet no one's getting up to offer a seat.
If she did not avail herself of the Silver seats, then it is entirely on her I am afraid. If the Silver Seats were not relinquished by those more able to stand than she, that would be shameful for the person who did not give her a seat I agree.
You see, the bottom line really is manners and norms are there very dependent on the location. Here the expectation is that of you are pregnant, physically challenged by injury, age etc. then you need to work with everyone else and board where there are seats for you. You can work within those parameters or you can wish it were otherwise. I see it very much as a case of "When in Rome".
On the Bay Area and Boston commute patterns being different, yes and no. The Bay Area most certainly does have clearly defined CBDs as with Boston. The two cities share the characteristic of having train networks that allow movement in and out but are very poor at movement within. That said, if I had to nominate one system as being far worse than the other, BART is the hands down favorite for that title.
