Most Washingtonians are at least somewhat familiar with the Metro system here; for students it plays an integral role. It provides decent and convenient train and bus service for residents and visitors to move around the city, leaving the congested roads for those whose blood pressure is not quite high enough yet. And it has done a fairly good job so far, despite some criticisms in the past of inconsistent service and poor handling of fires in the tunnels.
But now Metro is going beyond the world of transportation and beginning to affect interpersonal relationships.
Previously before a train departed the station, a pleasant tone would sound and a friendly female voice would announce, “Doors closing.” In the unfortunate circumstance that somone stood in the way of the doors closing, the same woman’s voice would reappear, this time politlely asking everyone to, “Please stand clear of the doors,” before they shut for good.
But a recent rush hour trip on the Orange line to New Carrollton showed an awful change. As is typical during rush hour times, the train was packed and people were scrambling down the escalators to catch the train so that they could get home from work sooner rather than later. There were, of course, those stragglers who tried to board after the first, “Doors closing” message; little did they know what was in store for them. Instead of a polite reminder, a sharp voice demands, “Stand clear of the doors!”
This sudden change in tone and lack of a polite introductory word is startling for anyone who has grown to expect them from Metro. And the implications for this new, angrier Metro are far-reaching. Imagine being chided just for cutting it a little close when you were getting on the train. How much would it ruin your day? What if it happened on what was already shaping up as a bad day? What if Metro decides to put other messages in? How would you feel about hearing, “Get your ass in a seat now!” if you weren’t sitting down?
Your bitterness from Metro would carry on to others you encounter, and then your anger towards them would carry on to others they know. Before you can say, “Dupont Circle?Doors opening on the right,” our entire society has grown grumpy and depressed, all because of a simple reminder on a busy train system.
Metro, please change your ways before it’s too late!
