Rail travel is not just a way to get from point A to B; these journeys are experiences in themselves. The train journey takes you through beautiful countryside, the stations give you a taste of local flavour and the twang of the local dialect, and the train’s occupants, your travel companions can be entertaining, amazing, annoying and more:
“Adjust Maadi (Adjust Kijiye)”
Which single solitary soul has not heard the phrase “Please Adjust” ( sometimes just “Adjust” or a motion with the hand which could may be rude in some country) in an Indian train; a request that asks to accommodate, share, ignore or suffer discomfort in silence.
The platform runner
Simran, Meenamma, Geet have all run after a train
There is always that one person who catches the train at the last possible moment… her name doesn’t have to be Simran nor is she beautiful but most people keep hoping and looking out the compartment door as the train pull away.
The food sharer
The boxes come open practically as soon as the train leaves the platform. The air will become redolent with the smell of pickle, snacks, poori, subzi and more; your kind co-passenger with insist upon sharing their food with you
The chatter who will tell you their life story
They are convinced that their life story is far more riveting that the book you’re trying to read and will proceed to narrate it to you.
The news readers
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These guys don’t read their newspapers they also offer verbal op-eds and detailed analyses. They express dismay, approval, sadness and outrage; it doesn’t really matter to them if anyone is listening.
The sleepers
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This is probably the best sort of co-passenger or the most boring sort, depending upon your point of view. He/she settles down on their berth, curls their arms around their bag and proceeds to sleep for the entire journey. Such a talent!
The Jab we Met girl
She is sweet, bubbly, likeable and irrepressible; always happy to help.
The cross examiner
This one is not familiar with the concept of personal space or boundaries. They will sit close, will ask questions about your family, home, education, marital status and if you’re found to be shamefully single may offer sage advice on finding someone quickly, followed by a whispered question around your age.
The snorer
If Snorer Uncle won’t let you sleep, kick him quickly and sharply; then feign deep sleep. He won’t know you did it and by the time he gets back to sleep, you will have a few minutes to fall asleep yourself!
The noisy kid
You may want to give this kid milk laced with a sedative, but his mother only seems to think his yelling and kicking are cute and can’t fathom why other passengers are so selfish as as to ask for some sleep at 3AM. She is awake isn’t she?
If you can think of more fun co-passengers on trains don’t forget to mention them in the comments below.
