Occupying Yourself On The Subway

Spending time in a city sometimes means having to spend time on the subway. And anyone who has spent time on the subway knows it can be an incredibly awkward situation. Everyone has somewhere to go, and they are trying to do it as fast as possible. Besides that, you are thrown into a confined space with complete randoms. You don't know anything about the people around you other than what you can see, yet you are knee to knee with the person trying not to invade their personal space. On a basic level, you have to judge the people around you even though you are taught not to judge a book by its cover.

So, you are on the tube and you are alone, have no book and your cell phone has no reception. Basically you've got no escape. Now most of your time is spent avoiding eye contact with the people around you. Here's what I like to do to occupy my time. Make up stories about the other people on the train. Some can be elaborate, others can be simple.

For example, I once 'met' a fellow who was recently divorced, on his way to the Central Park to meet his teenage son. He hasn't  been able to connect with his son. Part of him doesn't really like to talk about his past and his time in Afghanistan and he thinks thats part of the problem. But since the divorce, its become a little easier because he appreciates his time with his son more. Its funny because having to be a parent less has made him into a better dad.

Another time, I 'met' a lady who was going home to order pizza. Because pizza is the best.

I like doing this because it takes people watching to the next level. Everyones got a story and even though you may not be able to ask all of them about their's, nothing should stop you from making up your own. And maybe you can actually do something productive with those snap judgements you've been making about everyone on the subway.

What do you like to do on the train, to occupy your time? Any good stories you've made up about total strangers?