Rule #2: Turnstile Courtesy (Exiting)

I think it's important to note that I'm not a violent person, I don't like to make a scene in public, and, like most people, I'm not a big fan of confrontation. Having said that, my frustration with humanity, and specifically the people exiting the train the other day, brought me to violence.

If a large group of people are exiting a train and heading out through the turnstiles, leave at least one open for the people trying to get in. At the very least, step aside if you see someone trying to get through and people are exiting all of the other turnstiles. This is especially true if you just exited a train and there are people rushing to swipe through and catch it before it leaves. I promise you that the 15 seconds it takes to let people through is more valuable to their making the train than it is to your rush to open air. Days and nights can be made or destroyed by missing the train, especially late at night, and while maybe that person shouldn't have stopped to tie their shoe or say hi to their buddy on the street, it's you they will remember and focus their anger on when they can't get through the turnstiles. So either give people the common kindness of stepping aside and letting them swipe through, or be prepared to Turnstile Joust someone as they decide not to step back and let you through.



Because that's exactly what I did the other day while trying to make the train. The train pulled up and people charged through all four turnstiles. I tried to swipe through one and a girl charged through the other direction, apologizing, but not stopping. The next girl saw this happen and then proceeded to walk through anyway. I looked up as the train doors remained open for the last few stragglers getting off. I decided I was going for it and as the next guy went to go through, so did I.

He made it through first, but before he could clear the exit and the next person could follow him, I swiped my card and forced the issue. My shoulder and chest caught him and he went careening off to the side. I ran through the turnstile and to the train, but the doors were gliding shut and I'm no Indiana Jones.

Missing the train by an instant, I thought back to the people who wouldn't let me through and the guy who I'd bumped past like in the final challenge of American Gladiators. I was angry, but the worst part was that it had felt good-- like justice. So, please, remember my disclaimer at the beginning, and do yourself and everyone else a favor, and if you see someone waiting to get through some turnstiles, help them out and let them through.