Taking the train

Public transport is big in Japan. The cities are packed too deep for cars to be of much use. But the population is very centralized and subways and trains are extremely efficient and run like clockwork. Everyone uses them.

Every Monday I take the rush hour morning express train to Kurume. They only run every half hour (as opposed to every 5-10 minutes for local), so the lines for them build up. Its a long trip difficult to get a seat.

On the platform, there are markers to show where to stand and wait. A sign by the platform instructs people to line up in 2 rows. And 90% of the time, that's what everyone does. But sometimes I go in the morning, and there's just a single line, sprawling snake-like down the platform. Why?

Apparently, early on, just one person was standing there. Another person came along, and instead of standing beside them to form the second row like they're supposed to and like everyone usually does, they stand behind them. I have no idea why.

So then a third person comes along. They know that they're supposed to form a second row, but that would mean cutting in front of person two. This being Japan and everyone being extremely considerate, person 3 gets behind them. And so it continues single file, the grip of shame increasing with every new person added to the line. If people feel bad about cutting in front of one person, think how bad it is cutting in front of five.

Until of course, I the foreigner come along and start the second row like the sign says to. And immediately, half the people in the long line move behind me. Nobody wanted to be the first to do it, but if someone initiates, the dam breaks and everyone else does it too.

Being the initiator can incite bad behavior in others, too. Sometimes I park my bicycle in a zone downtown where no other bikes are. When I get back from shopping my own is surrounded by ten others.