There's a reason that London Underground tell us to 'mind that gap between the train and the platform'.
For as long as I have been using the underground network in London, there have been intermittent announcements asking passengers to 'mind the gap between the train and the platform'. I know that as you read this, you can hear the well-spoken taunt of the woman who was paid far too much to tell us how to use our common sense.
But, it seems she was not paid enough: last week, as I was making my way from the Central Line to the Northern Line at Bank station, I noticed a young woman making a mad rush for the ready-to-close-and-beeping-like-mad train doors. It was quite obvious that she had missed the train but none-the-less, she thought she would try her luck.
Her piercing scream as she fell in the gap, was not only heard in 5 boroughs, but was a reminder to all those on the central line platform that there was a reason London Underground have the announcements in the first place. I was shocked and confused. My initial reaction was to rush to the woman's aid, but I noticed that most commuters carried on as if it hadn't happened. Were they so used to those kind of mistakes that they did not bat an eyelid regardless of the consequence? I looked toward the CCTV cameras expecting that any moment, there would be a rush of LU staff attending the scene. Nothing. Perhaps they were also used to the stupidity.
Don't worry, the woman was fine, nothing more than her pride was hurt. But, the situation posed a time-old question to me: why is it that we choose to ignore the subtle messages we are fed, until it's too late? While the woman was not hurt, it reminded me of the many lives that are taken on our roads every year by those that have been drinking heavily but still think that they are capable of controlling a ton of metal at a high speed.
There is no longer an excuse for our ignorance. The woman on the tube could have been seriously hurt or even killed. But what would her demise have achieved? With constant information about the hundreds killed on the roads and injured on the tubes each year, we should have all the incentive we need to be safety-aware.
There is always a chance that 'it might not happen to you'. I guess what makes the difference is whether we are willing to take responsibility for what could happen. After all, it's got to happen to someone; let it not be you.
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4 comments:
Sam I really like this article... I think it’s actually my favourite!
As I read the question: "why is it that we choose to ignore the subtle messages we are fed, until it's too late?" It got me thinking... this applies to us all... whether we want to admit it or not. Not only on the road or LU but in all areas of life. Emotionally, spiritually as well as physically.
It’s a question that has been on my mind a lot recently; why and how can we be so 'reckless' when we know that it could end in destruction? Knowing that, what is it really that drives us to temporarily overlook our fear of a negative outcome and still go for it anyways??
U got me thinking... which is gonna lead to research... I'm gonna stop reading your blogs @ work!!
Keep up the great work! Lookin’ forward 2 the next thought provoking instalment...
Its just the Human Species Sam, we think and feel that we can just about do it or that it will never be me. Despite us getting the butterfly feeling inside to say its wrong, warning us that we are taking a risk and even worst that there is 50% chance, we maybe badly injured or even worst KILLED.
The fact is, most people are just hard of hearing, some seek the thrill and some just do not think until its to late (tends to be those rushing for that appointment/meeting/work). There is a saying that my mum used to say to my siblings and me, when we were younger and I now find myself saying it to my nephews (thankfully, its not due to their actions, but others around us) which is "If you can't hear you must feel". And the reason they must feel, is because this is the only way some seem to understand danger. Unfortunately for some, they don't get a second chance ;-(
Actually, whilst I think back to some of the things I did when I was younger, I get shivers down my spine, as I sometimes was guilty of not taking heed!.............its just fortunate, I am here to give my thoughts on your script Sam!.
Regarding people not wanting to help............I have experienced this too many times. I have always helped, even if this means keeping back due to danger and calling the police or best person to help out. My sister told me a story about a time she had just completed her first aid training, she was on her way to work on the Victoria line, it was packed, a person faints and everyone on the trains turns away, even stepping over the person on the floor, it was only my sister that went to help. She had to bend down to help the person, stretch to set off the alarm to alert the driver and then get back to ensure the man was ok!. She said that everyone just looked on..........trained stopped help came and it was at this point someone turned to her and said "can I help you love". My sister cursed him and all of the rest of the people on the train, she may of got herself into trouble, but she said she did not think as she was soooo angry. She was just happy that the person was able to get help........Humans hey!!!!.
Well I have always found it funny how some people (mainly commuters) think that their time is that precious that they just can't wait an extra 2 mins for the next train! In some cases, there is an announcement made that there "is a train directly behind this one" and still people will crush and squeeze and run and jump to get on the one that is on the platform! STOOOOPID. I would rather be slightly delayed and have some room than risk my life cheers.
Good post.
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