Random Commuter Observation

I really dislike people who run to catch the Metro.

Every time a train rolls into view coming into the West Falls Church station, it prompts any number of people to break into a frantic sprint along the walkway, through the tollgate and down the escalator, like extremely stupid wildabeast wildebeest (Ed. - goddam Boers and their goddam Dutch spelling) panicked into running straight towards the jaws of an approaching lion.

I dislike this practice for two reasons.

One, it's very undignified. It's perfectly obvious that a great many of these folks get no exercise other than their dash for the train. Furthermore, they are usually loaded down to the Plimsoll mark with all the recognized commuter accessories - oversized shoulder bag, purse, computer case, newspaper, and sometimes even an overnight travel bag on wheels. Such factors do not contribute to a graceful running style. It evidently doesn't bother them, but I certainly wouldn't want the eyes of the world on me as I feverishly gallumphed along in a kind of waddling sprint, impedimentia dangling from my shoulders and hands and banging against my backside. It's just an ugly, ugly sight. Everyone carries on these days about the importance of self-esteem. How about a little more emphasis on self-respect?

Two, it's unnecessary. At rush hour, a train comes through the station every couple of minutes. I don't care who you are, what you do or where you're going, it is almost never so important that you can't wait for the next one. To see the way some of these folks behave, one would think they were scrambling for seats in the Titanic's lifeboats. Get a life, people.