Traveling on an American rail operation whether local commuter or long distance you will notice folks that are much more prim and proper than anywhere else in the world.
They always seem to be dressed better (like they were about to interview for a job right on the train) and have more makeup than you can find in a Macy's beauty salon. Those that have not yet tended to themselves continue with their face modifying activity right in front of the crowds. I like to sometimes stare at these individuals just for fun. Makes them a bit agitated.
Everything from hair straightening to eyebrow and eyelash fixing devices come out - not to mention all the bizzare lip colors that get copiously applied while staring into a 3 inch round mirror. Then all the stupid lip samcking and eventual digging in to their oversize leather container that could double for aid to Ethiopia, these characters straighten up and fixate on some phone yakking.
Very unlike what I was able to see elsewhere in the world. London tubes have mediocre and relatively quiet yet soberly dressed folks that positively look like they are heading to a funeral. Some do show up in garish clothing but it resembles what an American thrift might sell. Point is not too many transit bound people seem to have the disposable funds to splurge on the latest fashion et al. Same goes for folks in Japan, India, where the only difference is noise. Indian trains can be noisy (there is no A/C and hence none of the doors of the windows close) with all manners of pollution making its way in to the confines of a compartment. In Japan they are super quiet. Almost like they are at a funeral. They all tend to keep to themselves and even have special forces that push people in to the train to get their doors to close after boarding.
Also punctuality is Job 1. Everywhere in the world. Not so much in the US local transit. Numerous reasons cause all manners of delays on the system - although they do rectify them as quickly as possible. They just do not have the volume of trains or buses though so I would figure it is easy to play catch up. Cancel a few and you are back on track. Not too many will notice since there are only 8 people who were inconvenienced. Again a reflection of the American desire to drive around in their Cadillacs (or Kias or Maseratis) as opposed to parking their butt on a soiled public seat and putting up with the relatively expensive fare.
Most trains in the US tend to go from few locations to other sparse locations and not connect the entire metro area like elsewhere in the world. Again addiction to cars has kept governments from spending on public conveyance. Same for long distance trains. Getting to and from an Amtrak facility is a chore in itself. Why spend on cab fare to get to Amtrak to go to Denver from San Fran when you can simply check out your own or rental car and then avoid the hassle of doing the same acitvity once you get into Denver? You need a car in Denver after all. How else are you going to end up at Nannas?
Air travel is competitive because it comes with an assumed and highly efficient and cost effective car rental service at the airport. Even in West Virginia there are 3 rental counters with all manners of cars to choose from. Same great service as you may get in NY or Chicago - maybe even better. They only see the 2.5 people a day who rent to go someplace in WV after all.
The Eisenhower era freeway system is America's gift to the traveler. You can literally drive across the entire continent and reach any corner of the country and even Canada if you don't mind the border inspection. Our family has done many a long distance haul - the longest being Detroit to New Orleans in 16 hours flat. That is about 1070 miles one way. All without much planning and not even a toothbrush. You can get almost everything to setup house on any of the rest areas along the highway. Access to cheap gasoline and relatively easy access to an automobile has defined the mobility in a whole different way than the rest of the world. I admit it is addictive. I have put 30,000 miles on my new sedan between business and leisure travel in the last 18 months.
They always seem to be dressed better (like they were about to interview for a job right on the train) and have more makeup than you can find in a Macy's beauty salon. Those that have not yet tended to themselves continue with their face modifying activity right in front of the crowds. I like to sometimes stare at these individuals just for fun. Makes them a bit agitated.
Everything from hair straightening to eyebrow and eyelash fixing devices come out - not to mention all the bizzare lip colors that get copiously applied while staring into a 3 inch round mirror. Then all the stupid lip samcking and eventual digging in to their oversize leather container that could double for aid to Ethiopia, these characters straighten up and fixate on some phone yakking.
Very unlike what I was able to see elsewhere in the world. London tubes have mediocre and relatively quiet yet soberly dressed folks that positively look like they are heading to a funeral. Some do show up in garish clothing but it resembles what an American thrift might sell. Point is not too many transit bound people seem to have the disposable funds to splurge on the latest fashion et al. Same goes for folks in Japan, India, where the only difference is noise. Indian trains can be noisy (there is no A/C and hence none of the doors of the windows close) with all manners of pollution making its way in to the confines of a compartment. In Japan they are super quiet. Almost like they are at a funeral. They all tend to keep to themselves and even have special forces that push people in to the train to get their doors to close after boarding.
Also punctuality is Job 1. Everywhere in the world. Not so much in the US local transit. Numerous reasons cause all manners of delays on the system - although they do rectify them as quickly as possible. They just do not have the volume of trains or buses though so I would figure it is easy to play catch up. Cancel a few and you are back on track. Not too many will notice since there are only 8 people who were inconvenienced. Again a reflection of the American desire to drive around in their Cadillacs (or Kias or Maseratis) as opposed to parking their butt on a soiled public seat and putting up with the relatively expensive fare.
Most trains in the US tend to go from few locations to other sparse locations and not connect the entire metro area like elsewhere in the world. Again addiction to cars has kept governments from spending on public conveyance. Same for long distance trains. Getting to and from an Amtrak facility is a chore in itself. Why spend on cab fare to get to Amtrak to go to Denver from San Fran when you can simply check out your own or rental car and then avoid the hassle of doing the same acitvity once you get into Denver? You need a car in Denver after all. How else are you going to end up at Nannas?
Air travel is competitive because it comes with an assumed and highly efficient and cost effective car rental service at the airport. Even in West Virginia there are 3 rental counters with all manners of cars to choose from. Same great service as you may get in NY or Chicago - maybe even better. They only see the 2.5 people a day who rent to go someplace in WV after all.
The Eisenhower era freeway system is America's gift to the traveler. You can literally drive across the entire continent and reach any corner of the country and even Canada if you don't mind the border inspection. Our family has done many a long distance haul - the longest being Detroit to New Orleans in 16 hours flat. That is about 1070 miles one way. All without much planning and not even a toothbrush. You can get almost everything to setup house on any of the rest areas along the highway. Access to cheap gasoline and relatively easy access to an automobile has defined the mobility in a whole different way than the rest of the world. I admit it is addictive. I have put 30,000 miles on my new sedan between business and leisure travel in the last 18 months.
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