Yesterday we took the underground home from London.? We were ‘lucky’ enough to be on a new piece of rolling stock.? For one thing, the seats are deeper, meaning you are not constantly readjusting in order not to fall off, but there is a distinct disadvantage.? As the carriages cannot be magically widened, due to the lack of progress on the TARDIS effect, extra seating depth means a narrower aisle.? This, in turn, leaves less room for people to move down the carriage.? A fact highlighted in the woman sitting diagonally across from me who was deep into whatever was on her mobile phone screen.? She was completely unaware of anything that was going on around her, which showed on three separate occasions.? She had very long legs and was sitting with them crossed.? This meant that, with the narrower walking space, she was, effectively, blocking the aisle with her legs.? Two people left their seats and headed to a door via her position, only to have to negotiate her foot, literally stepping over it.? The foot did not twitch, leading me to believe that she was oblivious to the inconvenience she was causing.? The third passenger actually nearly tripped whilst trying to step over the offending foot and all that this engendered was a minute movement (which could have been caused by the collision).? No recognition showed on her face and she stayed glued to her screen.? Not one of these people actually said ‘Excuse me’ in an attempt to pass more safely.? Perhaps they were just suffering from the British Disease, where it’s impolite to disturb someone so that you can pass in safety.? I don’t know.? I was on the verge of getting up and doing just that, even though I didn’t actually want to leave the train, when she left instead.

I cannot understand how some people can be so self-absorbed and selfish as to ignore three people who need to pass them, when they are obstructing passage.? You must be a special kind of moron.

Rant over.