Remember my post [http://theretimes.blogspot.com/2008/10/washington-mecca-of-metropolitan.html] from 2008 when I raved about the DC Metro, with a cleverly alliteration-filled title?
Well. It has now been about a year and a half since I posted that, and I certainly do not feel as unicorns-and-rainbows about the metro now as I did back then -- although I do still very much appreciate all of the Top 5. It's had quite its share of problems (remember the red line crashES last summer?) and an disturbingly large number of train cars break downs and fare increases.
But, despite its problems, I still do like the metro for getting me to where I need to go each day. I take the blue line (holla, fellow blue line riders!) 3-4 stops, depending if I get on at Pentagon City or Pentagon, so I'm honestly not even on it that much.
But (enter: the point of the post), I have made some interesting sociological observations while taking my 10 minute ride every morning and every night. One of the most interesting things I have found is that with each stop in the morning, a distinct demographic typically exits. I've made a game of finding a random person on the metro when I get on in the morning, and guessing at which stop they exit to start their day. It's quite a jolly time.
Here is what I have found:
Stop 1: Pentagon City. This is where I get on, so I'm not really paying attention to who gets off. I'm more searching frantically for that highly-coveted open seat.
Stop 2: Pentgon. 95% chance that anyone in military-looking clothing will exist; 50-60% chance that anyone "scary looking" will exit.
Stop 3: Arlington Cemetery, i.e. Tourist Central. In my experience, 100% chance that anyone with children will exit; 90% chance that anyone with a visible camera will exit; 90% chance that anyone with a shirt featuring Washington DC or Obama will exit.
Stop 4: Rosslyn. I would say that nearly 100% of exiters here are wearing suits, although I have yet to find another distinguishing factor.
Stop 5: Foggy Bottom/GWU. 85% chance that anyone with a backpack and/or wearing jeans will exit because of the close proximity to GW and Georgeton. 100% chance that Emily will exit here (unless she gets too caught up in reading the "Totally Lost" blog, which may or may not have been the case this morning).
I think it's kind of fun that each stop has its own personality. I should start awarding myself prizes when I guess people's stops correctly, which -- I hate to toot my own horn -- happens quite frequently.
OR, maybe I could put this sweet acquired skill on my resume in case I want to be an FBI agent or something. Hm, hm? I can be the "Emily: The Metro Hunter." YES!
The R & E Times
6 comments:
They just reported about a shooting at the Pentagon metro!! I thought that was what you were blogging about at first.
But on a lighter note, I love the way your mind works! ha ha. You could probably write a whole book on your D.C. observations!!
Woah!!! That's like RIGHT after I left this evening. Scary!
I loved it. People watching is quite entertaining, isn't it? (Yipes about the Pentagon shooting, though)
Wow that is really true and so funny! Hmmm so what about Dupont Circle?
Another job option is to write a new script for the train speaker: "Anyone with a camera should exit at this stop," "If children won't look at you, or won't stop staring, please exit here," etc.
p.s. Glad you are safe!!
Hilarious and totally true.
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