I feel very frustrated every day taking the metro to and from work.  This is the only way I could think of to make myself feel better about it.  It really is the most stressful thing about my life . . . and I'm a young mother with a grad student husband and I work a full, 40-hour week.  That should tell you something!

10. People not letting others off of the train before cramming onto it themselves.

This doesn't even begin to make sense to me.  It just causes a lot of pushing and shoving, frustration, and you don't save any time at all.  The metro would have to wait for them to get off anyway, and you're making it slower, in fact, by barging through and causing such confusion.  Just a plain rude thing to be doing.

9. The STM jerks not being friendly and helping people who need it.

One day, I let go of my pride and I actually asked a lady at the ticket counter to find someone to help me carry my stroller down the enormous stairs.  The escalator was broken, and I just didn't have the energy to do it - I didn't think it'd be safe.  She said "Well, we don't provide the crew for that."  And that was it.  I did it all myself, and got no help.  She wasn't even sympathetic to my plight.  I understand that you don't have the most glam job, but geez . . . what happened to your compassion?  Even with simple things (charging up your monthly pass or asking questions) these guys are always pretty surly. Just be nice!  It's not so hard.  I, too, have a job that includes talking to people, and I'd NEVER treat them that way - no matter how shitty my day has been.

8. Commuters who wear backpacks or huge handbags on crowded buses and metros.

During the rush hours, it can be hard to fit everyone on the bus or metro who need to take it.  So many people keep their backpacks or handbags on instead of putting them at their feet or holding them below waist-level.  This is a terrible waste of precious space!  Many more people could fit on if you wouldn't do that . . . not to mention that you constantly smash into people, unbeknownst to you, with your stupid, effing bag.

7. Jerks.

Commuting sucks as it is!  There's no need to make it worse with a crappy attitude.  Sometimes babies cry on the metro, sometimes it's really crowded, sometimes the trains aren't on time.  If you remain positive, you'll make it nicer for everyone else, and in turn, for yourself.

6. People who don't pay attention.

If you're texting, lost in your iPod, or just spaced out for a minute, try to make sure you've moved out of the way to do it.  It can be a real instigator of bad behaviour if you aren't keeping everything organised and are making it difficult for other people to get where they are going.

5. Lack of buses to keep up with volume during peak hours . . . and slow times, too.

Many times, I've had bus after bus fly past my stop because there is no room to let anyone on.  This is not THAT bad in the warm months, but during the winter I'm dreading freezing my ass off while waiting for a bus that actually has the room for my frozen self.

4. Whiners who get pissy when a mom brings a stroller on board.

We need to get places, too.  It's very stressful, taking public transit with a small child.  Try to think of that, and don't make the mom feel bad for inconveniencing you for ten minutes out of your day.  Be happy that it isn't you having to deal with that!  It really, really sucks.

3. Having to share personal space with smokers.

Ugh, gag!  I understand smoking is a personal choice, but I feel so sick having to smell it constantly while commuting.  I can't even talk about this because I get so disgusted.  Sorry if you smoke, I just really hate it.

2. Young, able-bodied people who don't give up their seats.

I don't understand how you can sit there while an older person, a pregnant lady, someone with an injury, or a mom wearing a baby sling has to stand and pray for divine intervention so they don't topple over.  You are not considerate!  Sure, you can say that those people should ASK for a spot . . . but sometimes, they are too shy or don't want to make a fuss.  You ought to think of others who are in more need than yourself.

1. People who get dangerous because they are in such a rush.

NOTHING is important enough that you need to smash into people, barge past parents with strollers on the escalator, or make people trip because you are LATE or in a hurry or don't want to miss the metro that just pulled in.  Really!  Potentially hurting someone because you are being so selfish is really the worst thing you can do.  Be patient and careful, and be respectful of those around you!

One more because I just thought of it: The metro breaking down.

This happens with such regularity!  I can't go a full week without some problem happening . . . usually on the line I happen to be taking, in the direction I happen to be going.  Sometimes, it's a five minute delay, other times, the entire line is shut down for most of an hour.  There's really no way you can prepare for it.  You just have to make sure you're in a good mood that day, I guess.

Okay, I think I feel a bit better about that, now.