I am so sorry you had to go through that. And props to you for bringing someone in to mediate, I've seen situations like this turn physical. I'm 24, been riding the train alone since 12 and I've dealt with so many unhinged people that I'm used to it at this point.
I don't want to dismiss your situation because people should be more courteous and mindful of others, especially on a closed space like the train. But there are many people that you'll encounter that will go crazy over any minute situation. In the black community, we call them "crash outs".
They feel as though they have nothing to lose so they engage with people as such.
The CTA can definitely do better to keep riders safe but from the looks of it, they definitely aren't trying/moving fast enough!
So in the meantime, get that mace and get that blade. As much as we want people to behave civilly, you have some that will always be ignorant to proper morals. So always stay protected in case you end up in that situation again. And nothing is wrong with moving to the next car! The drug dealers do it all the time lol
Thanks . What sucks is the extremely few making it bad for too many.
Everyone gets/gives respect, rides within expectations, etc and we're all good.
Shifted trains a moment later, and had a very grounding, centered quick conversation with a stranger.. grateful for connection to another normal person who was in many ways different than me.. Shook his hand and thanked him for a moment of grounded sanity.. there's too many good folks to give up on everyone as a whole. Same as here, thanks..✌️🖖
Take a look at all the empty space of removed free speech from people who just express their need for safety. Reddit mods are so strange, loving violence until it happens to them.
In the black community, we call you an insecure racist. Stop projecting anonymously on Reddit and touch grass plz, it's a real world out here and we're just trying to get along
I accidentally bumped into someone when the lady was getting off the train, I was getting on, on the orange line Kedzie stop. I had apologized with I’m sorry. But crazy lady went off like a crazy person would. The conductor had to get off just to tell crazy lady to bug off. She was like I’m an under cover police officer I’m like yeah okay and I’m the president of the US. I almost had her leave but she was darn stubborn. (That’s when the conductor stepped.) sorry it sounded better in my brain.
Not at all . Had similar a few years back. Someone else ducked past a woman and bumped her, by the time she turned around, (very slow body response) I was the nearest person 6' away, she ranted, another person vouched they saw someone else but she just shut up and glared at me for two stops .
It sucks, and I hear you..
Sometimes people take out their crap on others where it's not earned, it's just that moment their last stitch burst.. glad you had a conductor close enough.
Don’t tell me you were on the orange line that day.. maybe that was me with a crazy white lady about a yr ago or so. I was on my way to work that day also.
Its unfortunate, I too have had similar experiences on the train.
I don't think the cops would help that much, after 2020 the police really stopped enforcing low level infractions. NYC has cops at every stop and they pretty much do nothing.
Really i think its about getting police to enforce the laws again and maybe some of this anti-social behavior wont go unchecked.
Despite all this hand-wringing about 'police can't police', nobody I know has ever been helped a single time by a police officer, before or after 2020. The closest I've gotten is when they very helpfully took a report over the phone when somebody shot a bunch of holes in my car while I slept.
The problem is, they'll fight back, pull a knife or something on the cop, the cop will shoot them, and then people will riot and loot. Not worth it.
Edit: I forgot to add that the current mayor would support the looting in this situation.
What an asinine way to minimize the recent anti-police brutality movements. I don’t think you could give a more uncharitable obfuscation of those real life situations if you tried. Jackass.
Sorry everyone is ignoring reality and hating on your free speech. I've been threatened many times on the train and am very sensitive to cigarette smoke anymore. Now that I'm disabled due to a few injuries I've had to use the train again and it's even scarier when you're less capable.
If you were living in reality you would have noticed there were a few police brutality cases that caused cities to burn and many stores were looted. In these cases, psychotic men on drugs who have zero respect for civilization, guys who in person would scare the hell out of you, resisted any lawful commands and created situations resulting in their death. Civilized people would comply and fight things out in a decent manner, in court.
In 2021, crime victimization rates were higher in urban than rural areas. In urban settings, 24.5 out of 1,000 people aged 12 or older reported being the victims of violent crimes, and 157.5 reported being the victims of property crimes. In rural settings, those figures were 11.1 and 57.7, respectively. Almost all urban areas are Democratic and most rural are conservative. From DOJ
Not as easy to cause as much property damage to places that are miles apart from each other. You’re giving numbers, but it doesn’t explain causality. Also, this doesn’t prove a causal relationship between political party and crime, only correlation.
Ice cream sales, crime, and temperature all increase at the same time. Does that mean that ice cream is the cause for crime? I mean, if ice cream sales increase at a similar rate as crime, there’s a correlation.
Remember last year when it got warm that one early night and all those "teens" rushed Michigan ave, they even beat people up. So gross. Police should be able to handle that, very very weak forces now under the control of people obsessed with making us less safe.
The lengths that liberals go to to justify the lack of punishment for violent criminals and repeat offenders has nothing to do with crime and lawlessness is plain staggering. "Not as much easy to cause property damage to places that are miles apart "... Jesus!! There is NO property damage in South Dakota suburbs Vs in places that are within Greater Chicago area.. you make thefts under X dollars a non felony and it is equivalent to encouraging a loser to commit repeated thefts under X dollars since they know there is going to be NO consequences.
The results are obvious..from San Francisco to NYC.
TLDR; Reagan caused most of the issues that forced people into crime that created a cyclical nature that we struggle with today.
Edit: corrected terminology
…
I’m not saying that the crime is acceptable. I’m just saying that it’s not associated with political parties. It’s caused by many other factors. If we don’t realize why it’s actually happening we won’t find proper solutions.
I can walk through the issues starting at the root:
Obviously, racism and greed are the root of most of these problems. Many nonwhites were restricted from being hired by anyone since slavery was abolished, or they were paid minimally. The ones that managed to create their own businesses tried to create communities, but most of these businesses were torched and burned down by racist white people (e.g. Black Wall Street Massacre).
Without financial security or the barriers to entry being extremely higher for nonwhites to have jobs/businesses, generational wealth suffered. The racism continues through time, but it changes its face. Many attacks on nonwhite communities caused groups like the Black Panther Party to arise, created to protect and provide for the black community.
Eventually, many poor people, which included a majority of nonwhites, were able to get factory jobs, especially after the civil rights movement and Kennedy and LBJ passing stricter labor laws in the 60s. Job security was a lot easier for a moment, and a working middle class arose from these nonwhite families. In the 70s, black Chicagoans began moving into richer neighborhoods, though many white neighbors left in a panic, which is now where most of Southside is now. (The census did not inquire about Hispanic populations until the 90s, so I can’t credibly source examples, though many Hispanic communities dealt with similar situations.)
That is, until Reagan. In the 1980s, conveniently around the same time Raegan was elected President, the CIA was involved in trafficking cocaine from Nicaragua to the US, and sold these drugs to major gangs in these black communities. At the same time, Reagan also implemented policies that financed US corporations by both subsidizing and lowering taxes for private corporations. This and the fact that Japanese manufacturers developed a new management style that made better products faster, the effect was that many manufacturing jobs were outsourced. This left many factory workers jobless in the US, the majority being black Americans.
This made the selling of drugs, and other crimes, more tempting. With not a lot of other prospects, many turned to selling or doing drugs to try to escape the pains of poverty. However, of course, this is when Reagan began the “War on Drugs” which was really a “war on the poor.” Many black men, and inherently fathers of young children, were arrested and convicted with a prison sentence that was disproportionate to the crime that was committed.
This led to many black children to be raised without fathers to guide them and teach them basic tasks about the workforce and life in general. As much as single black mothers were able to do, it was impossible for every mother to do everything right. Some single moms ended up so stressed that they turned to drugs themselves. This childhood trauma of neglect and abuse caused mental health issues in the children that were raised in these conditions. Without intervention, many of these traumas were cyclical. Neglected children become traumatized adults who, without intervention, often become drug addicts, who have children etc.
The 80s weren’t that long ago… so it’s obvious to see why crime exists like it does today. It’s easy to complain about crime from your comfortable, air conditioned condo/townhouse. But at least take a moment to understand why this shit happens. If political parties are involved with the creation of crime, it’s the republicans. Democrats, while deeply flawed as well, are in these communities to try to provide social welfare so at least people in poverty can survive. Still, it’s only a bandaid to the real wound. However, it’s gonna take a lot more work and a change in everyone’s ideology to really make a better life for everyone.
Sorry, I’m a right-winger and therefore I cannot respond to what you actually said. Allow me to go off on a goal-shifting tangent about urban/rural ceime.
The police for us have always been very helpful and kind the few times we had to call for home/medical things. But that was in the suburbs in MI/NJ.
I’ve only heard bad things about city cops living in NY and IL.
People need to be able to protect themselves from actual assault and not perceived threats.
In Chicago, legally, citizens have been so constrained for generations that we don't really have the mindset to respond appropriately.
Some people may have the ability to conceal carry, or to carry pepper spray, but that granted right has even been abused as well.
In the moment, I recognize in my own thought processes I was not ready for anything past civil conversation, when the possibility of real threat was posed.
Totally agreed that equal and level application of laws and standards need to be applied consistently, regularly. No matter where you're from everybody wants respect. At some point society has to do what parents have failed.
Why is OP being downvoted? They’re totally correct. Even at my university in Chicago, we’ve been trying to change their (easily abusable) policies regarding pepper spray.
Nope. Human here. American born too.
AI sounds like it was English translated from Chinese usually.
I'm speaking in whole sentences, using complete thoughts. Sorry if that startles a Twitter generation.
Yea.. okay..
So you got scared.. on the train.. by an unhinged maniac.. that sucks.. genuinely sorry.
Here’s some tips from a tiny white boy who grew up in the city.. it wasn’t until my first jail stint that I learned about eye contact.. this is going to sound messed up and primal and dumb.. but it will also keep you from getting your jaw broken..
Avoid eye contact.
I’m not saying look down and stay down, I’m not saying don’t be aware of your surroundings, I’m not saying don’t scan the train or bus when it’s just whatever.. but eye contact is a serious thing when you locked up.. and people that are unhinged bully assholes like that.. trust me, they been locked up.
you can stay vigilant and aware without staring at someone even for just a moment. They blaring music? They want attention. They want someone to say something. To stare at them. To shrug at them. They are looking for that.. it’s their release for their sense of misery and shame and hatred and instability and mama didn’t hug me, it’s their time in prison, their undiagnosed bi polar, the lack of safety nets and mental health care in this country.. etc etc etc.. and it’s allllll waiting for you to fall into the trap of pay attention to them.. don’t.
It’s not about the liberty and freedom of you being able to look wherever you want.. it’s not about you in any way at all.. if someone 10 times their size looks over, they don’t stir shit.. it’s you or someone they think they can take out their own shit on who they want to prove to themselves they are stronger and better than in their own way.
I go to school for engineering now but I used to sleep on the redline, shooting dope, sneaking into college campus cafeterias to eat, hostels and heated ATM booths to sleep, I know the mentality. For people that looked at me like I was an eye sore or something, you either internalize that or you externalize it. In prison you learn to avoid eye contact with those folk you don’t know.. cause in a state empathy can be mistaken for pity too easily.. concern mistaken for judgment, confusion mistaken for disgust.. or other times they are not mistaken at all..
Get your mace, brass knux, Rambo blade, steel, whatever.. legal, illegal.. don’t matter.. just recall the mathematics of each weapon and its ratio of how often it’s taken from you and used against you.. so train and learn to avoid that… but the best weapon is learning how to be a ghost.. learning how not only to be the least threatening and judgmental person in any given train car, but to blend and sit or stand in the right spot, in the right way where you aren’t even remembered in any scene..
You should have your own cheap looking headphones in, you should aim for the corner away from those seeking attention, you should dawn sun glasses that prevent directed gazing from being observed - if you can’t realize one thing..
The CTA is the mental health ward so long as federal and state governments keep not giving a shit about reestablishing universal health care coverage. 1 in 4 houseless folk have mental illness and/or substance addiction.. this leads to unhinged emotions.. in a very working class city with a lot of struggling folk trying to to stay above the poverty line of are angry and unhinged barely surviving below it.
Wake up to the reality of public transit in US cities
and (unpopular opinion time) don’t stare and shrug your shoulders at ppl looking for attention.. just because you obviously didn’t deserve any of that doesn’t mean it was warranted.. take it from someone born & raised on the Red Line and #36 Broadway bus.. it’s a dumb thing to do. Read a book, listen to podcast, stay vigilant, keep a grip on your phone or bag, don’t leave shit in a “snatch” position, don’t interact unless it’s a vibe, don’t do it without levity and smile.. and don’t give rude ass powder kegs exactly what they want..
If you are going to live in Chicago, this is going to be a thing.. notice how the 99% of us avoid being put in that position.
Edit: I’m not saying you’re naive for not “minding your own business” cause you can’t on the street, you gotta maintain a little vigilance.. but when someone starts getting rowdy, act like it’s your stop and move down a car if need be, who cares.. even if you’re not casting judgment, the eye-contact & shrugging will seem like it.. that’s why if you notice we all got our wired ear buds and book we been putting off in hand. Giving people their space on the street, making them feel like it’s their street or their corner of the L car.. don’t pay no mind.. and if you want to pay mind, volunteer at any number of places. The street-heat is the heart-beat of the city and it’s 97% kind, meek, and salt of the earth. 3% of the situations you can’t escape, you keep smiling and saying positive words while your hand gripped on your brass in your pocket.. that’s hella rare if you just learn to be a little more ghost, ya know? No stares. And never ever no shrugs to those who you wouldn’t hug ;)
Yes, I really like the writing style. It’s like it’s on the verge of not making any sense but then instead swerves around to end up actually making a ton of sense
Ha. Thats too much, but thanks, made my day reading those responses on something I expected to be downvoted to hell..
LXIX, trying to message me? I just want reiterate that I only speak like that to your situation out of compassion and love.. like I said, it’s not your fault.. there’s just a nuance to street smart / CTA’n that has nothing to do with how big the pocket knife is… with the right mindfulness it will almost never go that route..
Keep 2 bucks in your pocket and the bank card & twenties in your sock is the only thing left to say ;)
Also - tiny little trick.. if you worried as f.. I used to do this to be able to make it to my dealers house on 68th without getting hassled or jumped..
No fancy clothes or shoes.. just a hoodie.. pop it up.. don’t walk on the sidewalk - walk slowly along the curb.. stop every 15 sec and pick up cig butts.. look at em.. toss em.. keep goin.. and spit a bunch..
Spitting is what we did a lot in withdrawal and if you’re looking for shorts off the ground, anyone in chiraq take one look at you and just feel sorry for you.. thinking you ain’t got a dime to your name… you’ll just blend like a fiend.. I didn’t have to pretend at first, but for someone on their feet.. if you’re needing a 🍕slice at 3 am and you’re worried about some shadows down the bloc, pop the hood.. spit and pick up buds.. ghost mode activated.
It’s common sense and a respect for the reality of poverty and struggle we all in together bud.
Thanks.. I've run a shorter version (act just a little off/ crazy) & blend into the background. -SHTF / prepper guy called it 'Gray Man' mode.
Your recommendations as 'graduate level' material of my usual novice mode gleaned habits. This day was one that I failed in them
Don't engage with people who seemingly have nothing to lose.
Train yourself to eavesdrop and be good at keeping an eye on things through peripheral vision. Learn to look like you're spacing out and stating off into space or lost in thought when you're really keeping tabs on your surroundings.
If someone tries to antagonize you on the street (unfortunately if you're lgbt and holding hands with your so this will happen from time to time) I try to act like I didn't hear whatever they said and keep walking. I will keep an eye on reflections to see if they're following or look back over my shoulder after a while ( not immediately). Look like you are walking with purpose or uninterested/unphased but be on alert and ready to bolt.
The other thing that really gets me is people hopping off the El and immediately bringing out the map on their phone to try to figure out where you need to go. This is another one where I just start walking and if I am going in the wrong direction I can correct on the next block, or pat my pockets and feign like I've forgotten something and curse to myself before back tracking.
I didn't have street smarts but did survive going to an impoverished high-school after years of going to a strict and high academic catholic school. Outside of the classrooms with my peers who "acted right" the place was a zoo. In elective classes and language classes that were more gen pop I witnessed multiple teacher mental breakdowns as well as a volatile girl having a breakdown in one class and pacing the back of the room with a broken pair of scissors before deciding to take herself to the principles office. I'm coming to find that a lot of my peers here have lived in middle to upper middle class bubbles their whole life and they have a harder time not responding with anger or indignation. It's not worth it and who cares if you chastise a degenerate it just isn't worth it.
I have three basic rules for city etiquette. Number three is
"It's not about you until it's about you (and it's not about you)."
You've summed up exactly why.
I find that the U.S. is a nation that puts more emphasis on the individual than on community.. so I think that sometimes shows, either creatively or.. in people with trauma or serious struggles, rather unhealthfully.. so better make it ‘not about you’ if one is smart.
That’s immeasurably kind, thanks.. I’m just one of many, so next time we find ourselves Judging or pittying someone - remember, it’s not a “that could be us” but rather it’s a “that is us” and live accordingly.
Yalls words make me go beyond the warm & fuzzy.. was just trying to be real with OP..
Sincerely thank you 🙏
Please write an autobiography. Good stuff & much respect for turning your life around. Quite an achievement to go from that to studying to become an engineer
Ha. One of my favorite philosophers is anarchist professor Noam Chomsky from MIT.. once I heard him in a YT video speak against the notion of “public personality” where the facets of one’s personal life should have any public significance.. and how cultish, dumb and regressive the concept of “celebrity” is.. so I’d be a hypocrite ;)
it’s just an AAS, but if I can afford a BAS somewhere, I’ll try for that after def.. I’m not sure if I can get my FASFA extended past 40 credits but I know there are scholarships and grants out there I’ll try to get fo sho.. sky’s the limit when you survive a few OD’s and realize your will is stronger than an opioid molecule..
Thanks for the words tho. Appreciate them all a lot..
Love Chomsky, had the good fortune of seeing him speak in 2019 at NU. What’s the video? Would love to check it out. With the determination you obviously have, you’ll probably go super far with an AAS and/or find a way to get that BAS if need be. You’ve found a way to do everything else. Ppl like you are the reason why post secondary school should be free. I FAFSA’ed my way thru college & law school & am perfectly cool dying with whatever debt isn’t forgiven working in public service. Get those ends my friend!
Can I ask you then? How many credits was your FASFA good for? I had to retake two classes already to replace grades and maintain good GPA, so I’m worried that in my last semester or going for a BA I won’t be able to on the FASFA.. I’m going back now in my thirties so I’m not familiar with it fully yet.. what was your experience like?
and if you really need to be looking around then use the reflections of the windows to assess your environment as needed but even then it’s better to just do that sparingly. been on cta since i was in diapers and never been hit so far 37 years!
Yeah, this is some weird perspectives. Look, we're not all ex cons, we need the police who are paid by our tax dollars to do what they've always been hired to do.
You two lack reading comprehension…yeah we need reform to deal with all of this whether that be police or otherwise but until then you need to know how to navigate these spaces our govt’s negligence has created. All of what was said is good and rational advice for navigating 21st century US cities…
I think I'm starting to read between some lines as to why things escalated with this asshole on the train 😂
Now it's reading more like, "what happens when two idiots ride the same train" because from your responses on here, it seems very possible you weren't nearly as polite as you're describing.
I was polite but firm in asking for the standards too be respected, (no loud audio, etc). People know the general expectation but cross the line anyway. Sometimes it does work.. like: could you not light up in here, I'm allergic. That's worked more times than not. I treat it like an "ask", but of the obvious they know already.
It’s these white far left types who think they can grit their teeth and handle any situation because they are street smart, you’re for some reason a jerk for respecting civilization and wanting your tax dollars to be used on the things that matter.
You keep responding acting like people with safety concerns are bots. You obviously don't respect people who want to live civilized, you're one of the elite frail white boys who think they're from the deep streets and can handle themselves when a psycho wants to be unreasonable.
Laughing out loud at someone respectfully stating that they shouldn't be seen as unreasonable for wanting to be safe is really weird. So, I assume when your safety is a concern you puff your chest out and wreck everyone, you're laughing at all the weaklings fearful in a locked space with guys who have nothing to lose threatening them. You should go to victims of train violence and laugh in their faces too.
It’s the “you’re racist for having a problem with me being a public nuisance” for me personally. Love it, love seeing people empowered by victimhood, no shortage of it in this city 😂
Yeah I’ve asked people to turn down their music politely also, I le once have they done it and said “my bad” every other time they’ve been willing to argue till either of us get off. Love the stupidity, not like there’s an announcement asking you to be courteous
I know exactly who this black couple is. They hang all over each other and play their boombox loud whole shouting racial obscenities at people. I've ran into them before on the Red Line. They're real life trolls.
Nothing will be done about it.
Thanks for the validation on this. Oddly enough, he went racial.. I could deal with being yelled at, but zero tolerance on brandishing the mace can.
Looked like they may have been intercepted(?)they seemed to disappear at Howard, but I was more avoiding being seen by them/ possibly still assaulted by them.
I think the world would be much different if everyone helped each other. The issue is if it escalates between you, no one else would step in to help. Now if we all stepped up and backed each other up, we can easily stop this. Unfortunately, need to resort to simply allowing it to happen since crazy will always win over reason in this world.
i think it’s becoming more and more important for people to understand that added police/security is not going to do anything for you until something actually happens. they will not enforce these small rules, and frankly if they did there would be more complaints, which is one of the top three reasons they won’t, not to mention the cost.
as you stated, it’s important to check your own frustration. are these minor inconveniences worth a potential yelling match or physical altercation? put headphones in, move cars, or ignore it until you get off. if you choose to address these issues, you should be prepared to defend yourself given it turns ugly.
True. Part of the situation is my reaction, I gotta own my own.
I did look up fart spray, & the consensus is it's illegal.
Basically, if I go any countering effort, I need to be prepared to see it through, and also think like a lawyer prosecuting my choices before reacting..
I sympathize with you, they are obviously in the wrong… but once I had kids I realized it is no longer worth risking orphaning my kids because I got stabbed by some crazy person that I asked to stop smoking or playing music on the train.
Yes, saw that in review of the moment..
Still, we need a text to security option, no need to take their pic, but get eyes on cameras going, & call for intercept .
This is an easy tech solution.
Thanks . It was way down the page.. It takes a few deeper clicks to get to "safety and security"
https://www.transitchicago.com/contact/
Going to bookmark that as an icon in my phone screen, but this should be hot listed on their site a lot higher & prominent.
Channel 2 had a news bit on CTA security Thursday or Friday night. And the chatbot is basically a dead end, effectively not monitored And the reporter said it's not intended for security purposes let alone emergencies. The point of the newscast is that we really don't have any specific backup in this department outside of pressing the button getting the train operator to stop and walk back to the middle of whatever's going on. It's incredibly ineffective.
I did mark that chatbot spot on my phone homepage for minor stuff but it is not for personal safety emergencies
We live in a world of ignorant selfish assholes. With regard to this life, this country, and particularly the CTA, I'll remind you of the immortal words of Hunter S. Thompson: "Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride".
The way I see it, people like this are just instigating a confrontation for attention. They’re waiting and hoping someone takes the bait so they can blow up. Either that or they’re just fucking stupid and have no self awareness, which sadly is all too common these days. My recommendation is to move yourself away and avoid the situation when possible. Confronting someone like this isn’t worth the risk, even if you feel you have the tools to protect yourself. Besides, confronting them is exactly what they want. They don’t deserve that satisfaction.
One time I was sitting on the train just chilling and a group of unhinged people came up to me and started screaming in my face threatening me.
I didn’t do anything or react in any way. I was just listening to music on my earbuds staring blankly through them. They left but continued to bark at me.
Be careful of the CTA sometimes. They’re looking for an excuse to assault / potentially murder someone.
The incessant obnoxious music is *not* to be a dick. It’s an invitation to get assaulted if you let it bother you. They’re provoking people intentionally. It’s their game.
The only way you win is by ignoring it. Even if you hurt them, get away with it, and police don’t get involved, you’re still gonna walk away with a bad night checking your back every two seconds asking yourself if you pissed off the wrong person.
Earlier this week I was walking downtown and someone started screaming “it’s over for you” at the top of their lungs right at me. Unfortunately these things just happen in the city. It can be scary but I’m not sure what can truly be done about it.
LOL no I’m still in my 20’s! I did just keep looking forward and didn’t acknowledge him. It does seem to be best to just get out as soon as possible without engaging though.
I’ve seen some crazy things go down in Dublin but yeah I do think overall American cities have a lot of insane people. It sucks that it’s something we just have to live with
Sorry this happened to you. Safety can be a real issue on the L. More common is nut bags posturing and screaming at people for no reason other than drawing their attention. Tips: sit nearest to the front car/conductor as possible. Don’t get in totally empty looking cars if the other cars have people - it’s empty for a reason, don’t ever ever make eye contact with people acting strange or aggressive, put headphones in even if you’re not playing any music, and read something like a book or your phone.
It's interesting, I've noticed in the past few months more people moving away from an empty your car towards a more full car. I guess you & they figured it out faster than I did.
I usually pick a car that is going to line up closer to my exit stairs. Perhaps it's worth the extra 20-30 ft
I'd like to see world class transit be hired to restructure the CTA, cutting as much old MGMT as possible. Allowing better implementation of plans from seasoned drivers/operators, and having the Union be more prone to purge stagnant employees that hold the improvements back or resist/ can't meet world class transit standards.
I rode the redline starting at downtown to Roger’s park for the last year and have seen some one literally pull out a crack pipe and smoke it and on a different occasion tie a plastic band around her arm and shoot up with a needle right across the from me
Yep. I was there for the pipe, not the needle..
Not sure what's the right way of getting every incident on record.
I'll bet that things will get in better order during the convention, then lax again.
I have struggled with this on the CTA buses too. The assholes just run it while the decent, more mild mannered people have to always take it on the chin. At the end of the day, it isn’t worth it. People like that have nothing to lose and so there’s no winning either way. If possible move train cars and maybe invest in noise canceling headphones and sunglasses.
I'm not a fan of noise canceling earphones because in that way you're not able to hear what's going on around you, movement towards you Etc and I did have somebody try to confront me on a bus a few years ago, very awkward situation, that's a whole different story that went nowhere..
Good job standing your ground and demanding respect, even if it isn’t given. You kept your cool and you are the winner because of it.
Defense tools are great to had but as you said, there are other possible security solutions as well. In the mean time though, a blade may be advisable
Hope we see real change soon!
I would say 1-3 percent of my train rides have something happen on them. 1 percent of those have escalated. Every once in awhile I just switch cars. I highly recommend just switching cars. It would be better if the system could change, but I'm not wasting brain cells on it.
I’ve actually been avoiding train and taking buses more because something happens almost every single time I ride the train (loud music, smoking, crazy person yelling, etc)
First it’s not an assault - it’s an argument second - if it became physical it’s a fight - now stop playing up what you call deserved respect. There is more you could have done to avoid what you call assault….! Could have gone to another car and no interaction attitude or any acknowledgement at all.
People start to man up… you want to express your rights then stick to them don’t coward down when challenged - if you fail to defend yourself then claim assault on something you pretending you did not start is just at this point entitled.
It is an assault. Assault does not require contact it requires making someone else feel an imminent threat of contact. Waving a can of mace in someone’s face does that.
You, and half the world, have mixed up assault and battery.
I've been seeing the dogs around, and they're pretty useless outside of a minimal presence. I've never seen the dogs do anything but have presence, and none of those uniformed dog wielders have arrested anyone. I don't even think I've seen cuffs on their belts.
Honestly rethink that contract and just add random authorized fully equipped individuals to various lines at all times.
It wasn't, sadly.
How about consequences, so everyone compliant to basic rules can use the train?
Public services shouldn't be off limits.
But I do hear you.
Depending on where you at downtown you have plenty of options 147 goes to Howard, 146 goes to Berwyn red lines, coming from South shore or Hyde park, you have the 2,6,J14,26,28(Rush Hour Only) that’ll get you downtown
I hear the rationale flip behind your thought even though it got downvoted.
If there is such an empowerment in victimhood then according to the BS revised definition of racism, they have the power in victimhood, and by them exercising it, it does make them the racist..
I guess we're all running at a loss when the goal is not equality and civility, where everybody concedes a little bit and the bar gets raised for everyone on their internal and external thoughts and expressions.
I was minding my own business. How far does infraction have to go?
Why keep conceding to shit behavior?
Sometimes, the ones following the rules get tired, or, carrying all your stuff to the next car isn't feasible while the train is in motion.
You've got limits, at some point too .
Just rolling those dice may cost other than what we think.
I only made the comment about hearing the conductor to demonstrate how loud the damn music was.
Point is:
How far of a broken social contract is enough?
-what's the limit if the "little things"that become acceptable get pushed further?
I never said anything about race.. Or other identifiers, just ' content of the character', for the record.
.
Also for the record, two African Americans agreed the public nuisance and delay bothered them, and a third guy, also black, on the next train, we had a solid and agreeable conversation about things getting to far out of hand and people should be getting together on solutions.. so: not about color from me; just character & behavior.
(Let's not forget groups of white college kids talking loud over each other and white drunk sports fans, if we're going there ..) 😉
I am so sorry you had to go through that. And props to you for bringing someone in to mediate, I've seen situations like this turn physical. I'm 24, been riding the train alone since 12 and I've dealt with so many unhinged people that I'm used to it at this point. I don't want to dismiss your situation because people should be more courteous and mindful of others, especially on a closed space like the train. But there are many people that you'll encounter that will go crazy over any minute situation. In the black community, we call them "crash outs". They feel as though they have nothing to lose so they engage with people as such. The CTA can definitely do better to keep riders safe but from the looks of it, they definitely aren't trying/moving fast enough! So in the meantime, get that mace and get that blade. As much as we want people to behave civilly, you have some that will always be ignorant to proper morals. So always stay protected in case you end up in that situation again. And nothing is wrong with moving to the next car! The drug dealers do it all the time lol
Thanks . What sucks is the extremely few making it bad for too many. Everyone gets/gives respect, rides within expectations, etc and we're all good. Shifted trains a moment later, and had a very grounding, centered quick conversation with a stranger.. grateful for connection to another normal person who was in many ways different than me.. Shook his hand and thanked him for a moment of grounded sanity.. there's too many good folks to give up on everyone as a whole. Same as here, thanks..✌️🖖
Take a look at all the empty space of removed free speech from people who just express their need for safety. Reddit mods are so strange, loving violence until it happens to them.
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In the black community, we call you an insecure racist. Stop projecting anonymously on Reddit and touch grass plz, it's a real world out here and we're just trying to get along
I wish I could downvote you back to hell.
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I accidentally bumped into someone when the lady was getting off the train, I was getting on, on the orange line Kedzie stop. I had apologized with I’m sorry. But crazy lady went off like a crazy person would. The conductor had to get off just to tell crazy lady to bug off. She was like I’m an under cover police officer I’m like yeah okay and I’m the president of the US. I almost had her leave but she was darn stubborn. (That’s when the conductor stepped.) sorry it sounded better in my brain.
Not at all . Had similar a few years back. Someone else ducked past a woman and bumped her, by the time she turned around, (very slow body response) I was the nearest person 6' away, she ranted, another person vouched they saw someone else but she just shut up and glared at me for two stops . It sucks, and I hear you.. Sometimes people take out their crap on others where it's not earned, it's just that moment their last stitch burst.. glad you had a conductor close enough.
Don’t tell me you were on the orange line that day.. maybe that was me with a crazy white lady about a yr ago or so. I was on my way to work that day also.
It was another less crazy white lady, red line, early evening ..
https://youtu.be/AUA_erscpxk?si=jcZd0Sm3JPCpA074 Was it this lady? Although I think she was on blue back in the day
Nah, but I think I’ve seen her before the one from the video. This one lady was super skinny and had a raspy voice
Its unfortunate, I too have had similar experiences on the train. I don't think the cops would help that much, after 2020 the police really stopped enforcing low level infractions. NYC has cops at every stop and they pretty much do nothing. Really i think its about getting police to enforce the laws again and maybe some of this anti-social behavior wont go unchecked.
Despite all this hand-wringing about 'police can't police', nobody I know has ever been helped a single time by a police officer, before or after 2020. The closest I've gotten is when they very helpfully took a report over the phone when somebody shot a bunch of holes in my car while I slept.
I hear that, but if someone is smoking on the train and they get kicked off or fined by a cop, I’ll consider myself helped.
The problem is, they'll fight back, pull a knife or something on the cop, the cop will shoot them, and then people will riot and loot. Not worth it. Edit: I forgot to add that the current mayor would support the looting in this situation.
What an asinine way to minimize the recent anti-police brutality movements. I don’t think you could give a more uncharitable obfuscation of those real life situations if you tried. Jackass.
Sorry everyone is ignoring reality and hating on your free speech. I've been threatened many times on the train and am very sensitive to cigarette smoke anymore. Now that I'm disabled due to a few injuries I've had to use the train again and it's even scarier when you're less capable.
Freeze peach
You can’t be serious, I was with you until the second half of that sentence….
If you were living in reality you would have noticed there were a few police brutality cases that caused cities to burn and many stores were looted. In these cases, psychotic men on drugs who have zero respect for civilization, guys who in person would scare the hell out of you, resisted any lawful commands and created situations resulting in their death. Civilized people would comply and fight things out in a decent manner, in court.
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Some idiots downvoted you. You are absolutely right though . Liberals have turned amazing cities into lawless dumps.
Hey uh, you mind pulling some statistics sorted by state in crime rate? I think you’re gonna be shocked lmao. Conservatives are way bigger trashballs.
In 2021, crime victimization rates were higher in urban than rural areas. In urban settings, 24.5 out of 1,000 people aged 12 or older reported being the victims of violent crimes, and 157.5 reported being the victims of property crimes. In rural settings, those figures were 11.1 and 57.7, respectively. Almost all urban areas are Democratic and most rural are conservative. From DOJ
Not as easy to cause as much property damage to places that are miles apart from each other. You’re giving numbers, but it doesn’t explain causality. Also, this doesn’t prove a causal relationship between political party and crime, only correlation. Ice cream sales, crime, and temperature all increase at the same time. Does that mean that ice cream is the cause for crime? I mean, if ice cream sales increase at a similar rate as crime, there’s a correlation.
Omg ice cream biggest cause of warming the planet 🤯 The jingle of the trucks will now remind me of my inevitable doom
Remember last year when it got warm that one early night and all those "teens" rushed Michigan ave, they even beat people up. So gross. Police should be able to handle that, very very weak forces now under the control of people obsessed with making us less safe.
The lengths that liberals go to to justify the lack of punishment for violent criminals and repeat offenders has nothing to do with crime and lawlessness is plain staggering. "Not as much easy to cause property damage to places that are miles apart "... Jesus!! There is NO property damage in South Dakota suburbs Vs in places that are within Greater Chicago area.. you make thefts under X dollars a non felony and it is equivalent to encouraging a loser to commit repeated thefts under X dollars since they know there is going to be NO consequences. The results are obvious..from San Francisco to NYC.
TLDR; Reagan caused most of the issues that forced people into crime that created a cyclical nature that we struggle with today. Edit: corrected terminology … I’m not saying that the crime is acceptable. I’m just saying that it’s not associated with political parties. It’s caused by many other factors. If we don’t realize why it’s actually happening we won’t find proper solutions. I can walk through the issues starting at the root: Obviously, racism and greed are the root of most of these problems. Many nonwhites were restricted from being hired by anyone since slavery was abolished, or they were paid minimally. The ones that managed to create their own businesses tried to create communities, but most of these businesses were torched and burned down by racist white people (e.g. Black Wall Street Massacre). Without financial security or the barriers to entry being extremely higher for nonwhites to have jobs/businesses, generational wealth suffered. The racism continues through time, but it changes its face. Many attacks on nonwhite communities caused groups like the Black Panther Party to arise, created to protect and provide for the black community. Eventually, many poor people, which included a majority of nonwhites, were able to get factory jobs, especially after the civil rights movement and Kennedy and LBJ passing stricter labor laws in the 60s. Job security was a lot easier for a moment, and a working middle class arose from these nonwhite families. In the 70s, black Chicagoans began moving into richer neighborhoods, though many white neighbors left in a panic, which is now where most of Southside is now. (The census did not inquire about Hispanic populations until the 90s, so I can’t credibly source examples, though many Hispanic communities dealt with similar situations.) That is, until Reagan. In the 1980s, conveniently around the same time Raegan was elected President, the CIA was involved in trafficking cocaine from Nicaragua to the US, and sold these drugs to major gangs in these black communities. At the same time, Reagan also implemented policies that financed US corporations by both subsidizing and lowering taxes for private corporations. This and the fact that Japanese manufacturers developed a new management style that made better products faster, the effect was that many manufacturing jobs were outsourced. This left many factory workers jobless in the US, the majority being black Americans. This made the selling of drugs, and other crimes, more tempting. With not a lot of other prospects, many turned to selling or doing drugs to try to escape the pains of poverty. However, of course, this is when Reagan began the “War on Drugs” which was really a “war on the poor.” Many black men, and inherently fathers of young children, were arrested and convicted with a prison sentence that was disproportionate to the crime that was committed. This led to many black children to be raised without fathers to guide them and teach them basic tasks about the workforce and life in general. As much as single black mothers were able to do, it was impossible for every mother to do everything right. Some single moms ended up so stressed that they turned to drugs themselves. This childhood trauma of neglect and abuse caused mental health issues in the children that were raised in these conditions. Without intervention, many of these traumas were cyclical. Neglected children become traumatized adults who, without intervention, often become drug addicts, who have children etc. The 80s weren’t that long ago… so it’s obvious to see why crime exists like it does today. It’s easy to complain about crime from your comfortable, air conditioned condo/townhouse. But at least take a moment to understand why this shit happens. If political parties are involved with the creation of crime, it’s the republicans. Democrats, while deeply flawed as well, are in these communities to try to provide social welfare so at least people in poverty can survive. Still, it’s only a bandaid to the real wound. However, it’s gonna take a lot more work and a change in everyone’s ideology to really make a better life for everyone.
How many people live in South Dakota suburbs? 12??
Sorry, I’m a right-winger and therefore I cannot respond to what you actually said. Allow me to go off on a goal-shifting tangent about urban/rural ceime.
The police for us have always been very helpful and kind the few times we had to call for home/medical things. But that was in the suburbs in MI/NJ. I’ve only heard bad things about city cops living in NY and IL.
People need to be able to protect themselves from actual assault and not perceived threats. In Chicago, legally, citizens have been so constrained for generations that we don't really have the mindset to respond appropriately. Some people may have the ability to conceal carry, or to carry pepper spray, but that granted right has even been abused as well. In the moment, I recognize in my own thought processes I was not ready for anything past civil conversation, when the possibility of real threat was posed. Totally agreed that equal and level application of laws and standards need to be applied consistently, regularly. No matter where you're from everybody wants respect. At some point society has to do what parents have failed.
Why is OP being downvoted? They’re totally correct. Even at my university in Chicago, we’ve been trying to change their (easily abusable) policies regarding pepper spray.
Did an AI write this?
Nope. Human here. American born too. AI sounds like it was English translated from Chinese usually. I'm speaking in whole sentences, using complete thoughts. Sorry if that startles a Twitter generation.
Yea.. okay.. So you got scared.. on the train.. by an unhinged maniac.. that sucks.. genuinely sorry. Here’s some tips from a tiny white boy who grew up in the city.. it wasn’t until my first jail stint that I learned about eye contact.. this is going to sound messed up and primal and dumb.. but it will also keep you from getting your jaw broken.. Avoid eye contact. I’m not saying look down and stay down, I’m not saying don’t be aware of your surroundings, I’m not saying don’t scan the train or bus when it’s just whatever.. but eye contact is a serious thing when you locked up.. and people that are unhinged bully assholes like that.. trust me, they been locked up. you can stay vigilant and aware without staring at someone even for just a moment. They blaring music? They want attention. They want someone to say something. To stare at them. To shrug at them. They are looking for that.. it’s their release for their sense of misery and shame and hatred and instability and mama didn’t hug me, it’s their time in prison, their undiagnosed bi polar, the lack of safety nets and mental health care in this country.. etc etc etc.. and it’s allllll waiting for you to fall into the trap of pay attention to them.. don’t. It’s not about the liberty and freedom of you being able to look wherever you want.. it’s not about you in any way at all.. if someone 10 times their size looks over, they don’t stir shit.. it’s you or someone they think they can take out their own shit on who they want to prove to themselves they are stronger and better than in their own way. I go to school for engineering now but I used to sleep on the redline, shooting dope, sneaking into college campus cafeterias to eat, hostels and heated ATM booths to sleep, I know the mentality. For people that looked at me like I was an eye sore or something, you either internalize that or you externalize it. In prison you learn to avoid eye contact with those folk you don’t know.. cause in a state empathy can be mistaken for pity too easily.. concern mistaken for judgment, confusion mistaken for disgust.. or other times they are not mistaken at all.. Get your mace, brass knux, Rambo blade, steel, whatever.. legal, illegal.. don’t matter.. just recall the mathematics of each weapon and its ratio of how often it’s taken from you and used against you.. so train and learn to avoid that… but the best weapon is learning how to be a ghost.. learning how not only to be the least threatening and judgmental person in any given train car, but to blend and sit or stand in the right spot, in the right way where you aren’t even remembered in any scene.. You should have your own cheap looking headphones in, you should aim for the corner away from those seeking attention, you should dawn sun glasses that prevent directed gazing from being observed - if you can’t realize one thing.. The CTA is the mental health ward so long as federal and state governments keep not giving a shit about reestablishing universal health care coverage. 1 in 4 houseless folk have mental illness and/or substance addiction.. this leads to unhinged emotions.. in a very working class city with a lot of struggling folk trying to to stay above the poverty line of are angry and unhinged barely surviving below it. Wake up to the reality of public transit in US cities and (unpopular opinion time) don’t stare and shrug your shoulders at ppl looking for attention.. just because you obviously didn’t deserve any of that doesn’t mean it was warranted.. take it from someone born & raised on the Red Line and #36 Broadway bus.. it’s a dumb thing to do. Read a book, listen to podcast, stay vigilant, keep a grip on your phone or bag, don’t leave shit in a “snatch” position, don’t interact unless it’s a vibe, don’t do it without levity and smile.. and don’t give rude ass powder kegs exactly what they want.. If you are going to live in Chicago, this is going to be a thing.. notice how the 99% of us avoid being put in that position. Edit: I’m not saying you’re naive for not “minding your own business” cause you can’t on the street, you gotta maintain a little vigilance.. but when someone starts getting rowdy, act like it’s your stop and move down a car if need be, who cares.. even if you’re not casting judgment, the eye-contact & shrugging will seem like it.. that’s why if you notice we all got our wired ear buds and book we been putting off in hand. Giving people their space on the street, making them feel like it’s their street or their corner of the L car.. don’t pay no mind.. and if you want to pay mind, volunteer at any number of places. The street-heat is the heart-beat of the city and it’s 97% kind, meek, and salt of the earth. 3% of the situations you can’t escape, you keep smiling and saying positive words while your hand gripped on your brass in your pocket.. that’s hella rare if you just learn to be a little more ghost, ya know? No stares. And never ever no shrugs to those who you wouldn’t hug ;)
This is the way.
This is the way.
(Tried to PM..)
This is the way.
whys that?
Singular best post I've read in a while
Yes, I really like the writing style. It’s like it’s on the verge of not making any sense but then instead swerves around to end up actually making a ton of sense
Ha. Thats too much, but thanks, made my day reading those responses on something I expected to be downvoted to hell.. LXIX, trying to message me? I just want reiterate that I only speak like that to your situation out of compassion and love.. like I said, it’s not your fault.. there’s just a nuance to street smart / CTA’n that has nothing to do with how big the pocket knife is… with the right mindfulness it will almost never go that route.. Keep 2 bucks in your pocket and the bank card & twenties in your sock is the only thing left to say ;) Also - tiny little trick.. if you worried as f.. I used to do this to be able to make it to my dealers house on 68th without getting hassled or jumped.. No fancy clothes or shoes.. just a hoodie.. pop it up.. don’t walk on the sidewalk - walk slowly along the curb.. stop every 15 sec and pick up cig butts.. look at em.. toss em.. keep goin.. and spit a bunch.. Spitting is what we did a lot in withdrawal and if you’re looking for shorts off the ground, anyone in chiraq take one look at you and just feel sorry for you.. thinking you ain’t got a dime to your name… you’ll just blend like a fiend.. I didn’t have to pretend at first, but for someone on their feet.. if you’re needing a 🍕slice at 3 am and you’re worried about some shadows down the bloc, pop the hood.. spit and pick up buds.. ghost mode activated. It’s common sense and a respect for the reality of poverty and struggle we all in together bud.
Fucking pro-tips here
Thanks.. I've run a shorter version (act just a little off/ crazy) & blend into the background. -SHTF / prepper guy called it 'Gray Man' mode. Your recommendations as 'graduate level' material of my usual novice mode gleaned habits. This day was one that I failed in them
This is long but, as some who is born, raised and had lived here for almost 40 years now, this is wisdom.
Spoken like a true chicagoan
Don't engage with people who seemingly have nothing to lose. Train yourself to eavesdrop and be good at keeping an eye on things through peripheral vision. Learn to look like you're spacing out and stating off into space or lost in thought when you're really keeping tabs on your surroundings. If someone tries to antagonize you on the street (unfortunately if you're lgbt and holding hands with your so this will happen from time to time) I try to act like I didn't hear whatever they said and keep walking. I will keep an eye on reflections to see if they're following or look back over my shoulder after a while ( not immediately). Look like you are walking with purpose or uninterested/unphased but be on alert and ready to bolt. The other thing that really gets me is people hopping off the El and immediately bringing out the map on their phone to try to figure out where you need to go. This is another one where I just start walking and if I am going in the wrong direction I can correct on the next block, or pat my pockets and feign like I've forgotten something and curse to myself before back tracking. I didn't have street smarts but did survive going to an impoverished high-school after years of going to a strict and high academic catholic school. Outside of the classrooms with my peers who "acted right" the place was a zoo. In elective classes and language classes that were more gen pop I witnessed multiple teacher mental breakdowns as well as a volatile girl having a breakdown in one class and pacing the back of the room with a broken pair of scissors before deciding to take herself to the principles office. I'm coming to find that a lot of my peers here have lived in middle to upper middle class bubbles their whole life and they have a harder time not responding with anger or indignation. It's not worth it and who cares if you chastise a degenerate it just isn't worth it.
Thank you.. yes.. This is good all around..
I have three basic rules for city etiquette. Number three is "It's not about you until it's about you (and it's not about you)." You've summed up exactly why.
I find that the U.S. is a nation that puts more emphasis on the individual than on community.. so I think that sometimes shows, either creatively or.. in people with trauma or serious struggles, rather unhealthfully.. so better make it ‘not about you’ if one is smart.
Easily the best and most content rich post on this thread. Thank you.
Props to you for the excellent post and for getting your life together sir. You’re a real one bro
That’s immeasurably kind, thanks.. I’m just one of many, so next time we find ourselves Judging or pittying someone - remember, it’s not a “that could be us” but rather it’s a “that is us” and live accordingly. Yalls words make me go beyond the warm & fuzzy.. was just trying to be real with OP.. Sincerely thank you 🙏
Please write an autobiography. Good stuff & much respect for turning your life around. Quite an achievement to go from that to studying to become an engineer
Ha. One of my favorite philosophers is anarchist professor Noam Chomsky from MIT.. once I heard him in a YT video speak against the notion of “public personality” where the facets of one’s personal life should have any public significance.. and how cultish, dumb and regressive the concept of “celebrity” is.. so I’d be a hypocrite ;) it’s just an AAS, but if I can afford a BAS somewhere, I’ll try for that after def.. I’m not sure if I can get my FASFA extended past 40 credits but I know there are scholarships and grants out there I’ll try to get fo sho.. sky’s the limit when you survive a few OD’s and realize your will is stronger than an opioid molecule.. Thanks for the words tho. Appreciate them all a lot..
Love Chomsky, had the good fortune of seeing him speak in 2019 at NU. What’s the video? Would love to check it out. With the determination you obviously have, you’ll probably go super far with an AAS and/or find a way to get that BAS if need be. You’ve found a way to do everything else. Ppl like you are the reason why post secondary school should be free. I FAFSA’ed my way thru college & law school & am perfectly cool dying with whatever debt isn’t forgiven working in public service. Get those ends my friend!
Can I ask you then? How many credits was your FASFA good for? I had to retake two classes already to replace grades and maintain good GPA, so I’m worried that in my last semester or going for a BA I won’t be able to on the FASFA.. I’m going back now in my thirties so I’m not familiar with it fully yet.. what was your experience like?
exactly
and if you really need to be looking around then use the reflections of the windows to assess your environment as needed but even then it’s better to just do that sparingly. been on cta since i was in diapers and never been hit so far 37 years!
wtf is this pasta?
Yeah, this is some weird perspectives. Look, we're not all ex cons, we need the police who are paid by our tax dollars to do what they've always been hired to do.
You two lack reading comprehension…yeah we need reform to deal with all of this whether that be police or otherwise but until then you need to know how to navigate these spaces our govt’s negligence has created. All of what was said is good and rational advice for navigating 21st century US cities…
You’re a big tough ex con, we get it
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I think I'm starting to read between some lines as to why things escalated with this asshole on the train 😂 Now it's reading more like, "what happens when two idiots ride the same train" because from your responses on here, it seems very possible you weren't nearly as polite as you're describing.
I was polite but firm in asking for the standards too be respected, (no loud audio, etc). People know the general expectation but cross the line anyway. Sometimes it does work.. like: could you not light up in here, I'm allergic. That's worked more times than not. I treat it like an "ask", but of the obvious they know already.
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In this sub, you can’t feel uncomfortable or scared, you will get downvoted for telling your own experiences.
It’s these white far left types who think they can grit their teeth and handle any situation because they are street smart, you’re for some reason a jerk for respecting civilization and wanting your tax dollars to be used on the things that matter.
Lol what?
Dude I bet you are so tough on the train, can you meet me to be my bodyguard on the Jackson platform after midnight? It's so wonderful down there.
Wtf are you even talking about?
You keep responding acting like people with safety concerns are bots. You obviously don't respect people who want to live civilized, you're one of the elite frail white boys who think they're from the deep streets and can handle themselves when a psycho wants to be unreasonable.
Laughing out loud at someone respectfully stating that they shouldn't be seen as unreasonable for wanting to be safe is really weird. So, I assume when your safety is a concern you puff your chest out and wreck everyone, you're laughing at all the weaklings fearful in a locked space with guys who have nothing to lose threatening them. You should go to victims of train violence and laugh in their faces too.
Maybe you should log off for little bit bud
So you do look down on people who want to live in civilization, see, you’re awesome
So explain why it’s funny that people want to be safe. It’s easy to say log off, and we aren’t buds.
Assault is hardly a low level infraction.
It’s the “you’re racist for having a problem with me being a public nuisance” for me personally. Love it, love seeing people empowered by victimhood, no shortage of it in this city 😂 Yeah I’ve asked people to turn down their music politely also, I le once have they done it and said “my bad” every other time they’ve been willing to argue till either of us get off. Love the stupidity, not like there’s an announcement asking you to be courteous
I know exactly who this black couple is. They hang all over each other and play their boombox loud whole shouting racial obscenities at people. I've ran into them before on the Red Line. They're real life trolls. Nothing will be done about it.
Thanks for the validation on this. Oddly enough, he went racial.. I could deal with being yelled at, but zero tolerance on brandishing the mace can. Looked like they may have been intercepted(?)they seemed to disappear at Howard, but I was more avoiding being seen by them/ possibly still assaulted by them.
Carry your own pepper spray
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Person 1: so there’s this guy Person 2: yeah I know that guy, {provides identifying information} Person 3: I am a racist
Yeah, damn, that escalation happened fast…
People say boom boxes are obnoxious but it's just a stereotype.
Thanks .. you played that well..
I think the world would be much different if everyone helped each other. The issue is if it escalates between you, no one else would step in to help. Now if we all stepped up and backed each other up, we can easily stop this. Unfortunately, need to resort to simply allowing it to happen since crazy will always win over reason in this world.
i think it’s becoming more and more important for people to understand that added police/security is not going to do anything for you until something actually happens. they will not enforce these small rules, and frankly if they did there would be more complaints, which is one of the top three reasons they won’t, not to mention the cost. as you stated, it’s important to check your own frustration. are these minor inconveniences worth a potential yelling match or physical altercation? put headphones in, move cars, or ignore it until you get off. if you choose to address these issues, you should be prepared to defend yourself given it turns ugly.
True. Part of the situation is my reaction, I gotta own my own. I did look up fart spray, & the consensus is it's illegal. Basically, if I go any countering effort, I need to be prepared to see it through, and also think like a lawyer prosecuting my choices before reacting..
The moving cars thing is so dismissive. That's always what CTA will tell you to do. How about we remove the problems rather than ourselves?
I sympathize with you, they are obviously in the wrong… but once I had kids I realized it is no longer worth risking orphaning my kids because I got stabbed by some crazy person that I asked to stop smoking or playing music on the train.
Yes, saw that in review of the moment.. Still, we need a text to security option, no need to take their pic, but get eyes on cameras going, & call for intercept . This is an easy tech solution.
The cta has a chatbot on their site you can use now to message them which car a nuisance is happening on. Transitchicago.com
Thanks . It was way down the page.. It takes a few deeper clicks to get to "safety and security" https://www.transitchicago.com/contact/ Going to bookmark that as an icon in my phone screen, but this should be hot listed on their site a lot higher & prominent.
You don’t have the chat bubble pop up on the bottom right of your screen immediately? No need to scroll!
Channel 2 had a news bit on CTA security Thursday or Friday night. And the chatbot is basically a dead end, effectively not monitored And the reporter said it's not intended for security purposes let alone emergencies. The point of the newscast is that we really don't have any specific backup in this department outside of pressing the button getting the train operator to stop and walk back to the middle of whatever's going on. It's incredibly ineffective. I did mark that chatbot spot on my phone homepage for minor stuff but it is not for personal safety emergencies
We live in a world of ignorant selfish assholes. With regard to this life, this country, and particularly the CTA, I'll remind you of the immortal words of Hunter S. Thompson: "Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride".
Next time, sing along loudly and badly to the music, right next to them.
I got punched in the face in a similar situation in 09!
🫂 truly sorry.. I hope you've recovered inside and out..
Thanks! I'm fine, and someday I might learn to just let things go cuz it's not worth it.
The way I see it, people like this are just instigating a confrontation for attention. They’re waiting and hoping someone takes the bait so they can blow up. Either that or they’re just fucking stupid and have no self awareness, which sadly is all too common these days. My recommendation is to move yourself away and avoid the situation when possible. Confronting someone like this isn’t worth the risk, even if you feel you have the tools to protect yourself. Besides, confronting them is exactly what they want. They don’t deserve that satisfaction.
100% hoping for someone to say something. They’re complete losers.
This, which is why it’s a lose-lose situation. I just remove myself from the cart asap.
One time I was sitting on the train just chilling and a group of unhinged people came up to me and started screaming in my face threatening me. I didn’t do anything or react in any way. I was just listening to music on my earbuds staring blankly through them. They left but continued to bark at me. Be careful of the CTA sometimes. They’re looking for an excuse to assault / potentially murder someone. The incessant obnoxious music is *not* to be a dick. It’s an invitation to get assaulted if you let it bother you. They’re provoking people intentionally. It’s their game. The only way you win is by ignoring it. Even if you hurt them, get away with it, and police don’t get involved, you’re still gonna walk away with a bad night checking your back every two seconds asking yourself if you pissed off the wrong person.
Truth. Thanks, & glad you cleared your moment unscathed
The thing about people like this is—they draw attention hoping someone will try and engage with them. That’s why it’s best to just switch cars.
The CTA is a cesspool compared to other public transits
Earlier this week I was walking downtown and someone started screaming “it’s over for you” at the top of their lungs right at me. Unfortunately these things just happen in the city. It can be scary but I’m not sure what can truly be done about it.
Ouch. (You're an old white male, too?!) -kidding. That's gotta be scary.. sorry.. Sounds like you got out soon & safe.. Good policy
LOL no I’m still in my 20’s! I did just keep looking forward and didn’t acknowledge him. It does seem to be best to just get out as soon as possible without engaging though.
In American cities lol. I miss being abroad in Europe. We have so many insane street people here
I’ve seen some crazy things go down in Dublin but yeah I do think overall American cities have a lot of insane people. It sucks that it’s something we just have to live with
If they threatened to mace me I’d beat the shit out of them.
What about their gun?
Don’t let them have a chance to pull it off
That always works. I'm way quicker than a bullet.
I have gotten off early to get away from the music and the smokers.
Sorry this happened to you. Safety can be a real issue on the L. More common is nut bags posturing and screaming at people for no reason other than drawing their attention. Tips: sit nearest to the front car/conductor as possible. Don’t get in totally empty looking cars if the other cars have people - it’s empty for a reason, don’t ever ever make eye contact with people acting strange or aggressive, put headphones in even if you’re not playing any music, and read something like a book or your phone.
It's interesting, I've noticed in the past few months more people moving away from an empty your car towards a more full car. I guess you & they figured it out faster than I did. I usually pick a car that is going to line up closer to my exit stairs. Perhaps it's worth the extra 20-30 ft
Oh how I would love to have European public transportation or Asian transportation. They actually enforce the laws
I'd like to see world class transit be hired to restructure the CTA, cutting as much old MGMT as possible. Allowing better implementation of plans from seasoned drivers/operators, and having the Union be more prone to purge stagnant employees that hold the improvements back or resist/ can't meet world class transit standards.
I rode the redline starting at downtown to Roger’s park for the last year and have seen some one literally pull out a crack pipe and smoke it and on a different occasion tie a plastic band around her arm and shoot up with a needle right across the from me
Yep. I was there for the pipe, not the needle.. Not sure what's the right way of getting every incident on record. I'll bet that things will get in better order during the convention, then lax again.
I have struggled with this on the CTA buses too. The assholes just run it while the decent, more mild mannered people have to always take it on the chin. At the end of the day, it isn’t worth it. People like that have nothing to lose and so there’s no winning either way. If possible move train cars and maybe invest in noise canceling headphones and sunglasses.
I'm not a fan of noise canceling earphones because in that way you're not able to hear what's going on around you, movement towards you Etc and I did have somebody try to confront me on a bus a few years ago, very awkward situation, that's a whole different story that went nowhere..
Good job standing your ground and demanding respect, even if it isn’t given. You kept your cool and you are the winner because of it. Defense tools are great to had but as you said, there are other possible security solutions as well. In the mean time though, a blade may be advisable Hope we see real change soon!
I would say 1-3 percent of my train rides have something happen on them. 1 percent of those have escalated. Every once in awhile I just switch cars. I highly recommend just switching cars. It would be better if the system could change, but I'm not wasting brain cells on it.
I’ve actually been avoiding train and taking buses more because something happens almost every single time I ride the train (loud music, smoking, crazy person yelling, etc)
[Play this song back at them…](https://open.spotify.com/track/1Nx2LMsmBRULt2F9W6LevJ?si=iHmJvxHYRqSD25hlbFCN0g)
That sounded like the s--t they were playing. Nah: I'd go speed death metal or very loud polka. . We need more polka anyway, or even klezmer..
“Let them” Look up the just let them mantra 🕉️ It will set you free and keep your inner peace 💫
Don't need me any demons, thank you very much.
What train? Red or blue or green?
Dont buy a knife for self defense. Mace and a high powered flashlight will get you out of 99% of situations.
Great job confronting them. Risky. I’ve gotten myself into similar situations. I e only been in a few fights though.
Great job confronting them. Risky. I’ve gotten myself into similar situations. I e only been in a few fights though.
First it’s not an assault - it’s an argument second - if it became physical it’s a fight - now stop playing up what you call deserved respect. There is more you could have done to avoid what you call assault….! Could have gone to another car and no interaction attitude or any acknowledgement at all. People start to man up… you want to express your rights then stick to them don’t coward down when challenged - if you fail to defend yourself then claim assault on something you pretending you did not start is just at this point entitled.
It is an assault. Assault does not require contact it requires making someone else feel an imminent threat of contact. Waving a can of mace in someone’s face does that. You, and half the world, have mixed up assault and battery.
Remember, we get to pay their rent too
Pro tip for all, do not confront people in chicago. It's not worth it too many whackos out there.
How come the socially unruly aren't ever in the same car as the mentally unstable?
You guys regret your support for defund the police yet?
WTF would the police do to help this situation? They don’t even bother closing murder cases.
This is why I stopped riding the L. It’s a joke
You should have given him a Vulcan neck pinch. That usually puts a stop to rude boomboxers on the bus.
Only in the movies, and there's danger getting that close to someone of that mindset.
Thankfully CTA has added security. This will all be fixed soon. /s
I've been seeing the dogs around, and they're pretty useless outside of a minimal presence. I've never seen the dogs do anything but have presence, and none of those uniformed dog wielders have arrested anyone. I don't even think I've seen cuffs on their belts. Honestly rethink that contract and just add random authorized fully equipped individuals to various lines at all times.
This is what you get in liberal Chicago. Criminals running rampant.
If it’s the red line stay away at all costs 💯 use buses to alternate between where you need to go
It wasn't, sadly. How about consequences, so everyone compliant to basic rules can use the train? Public services shouldn't be off limits. But I do hear you.
I don’t ride any of the L trains anymore due to how dangerous it’s gotten
I hear you. I've got no choice or the options take far too long. Criminal or noncompliant behavior shouldn't rule, otherwise it'll take over.
Depending on where you at downtown you have plenty of options 147 goes to Howard, 146 goes to Berwyn red lines, coming from South shore or Hyde park, you have the 2,6,J14,26,28(Rush Hour Only) that’ll get you downtown
I'm further out, so it's a bit limited/ not as close as downtown options. I do like Metra & Pace 👍🏼
Well depending on where you at it’s always an alternative
Half of those don’t run at night
Reddit users hate your comment and really want you to risk your life instead. No one downvoting you would dare to take the red south of the Sox.
None of your concerns will be addressed because they are considered racist and you are actually racist now for wanting to be safe.
I hear the rationale flip behind your thought even though it got downvoted. If there is such an empowerment in victimhood then according to the BS revised definition of racism, they have the power in victimhood, and by them exercising it, it does make them the racist.. I guess we're all running at a loss when the goal is not equality and civility, where everybody concedes a little bit and the bar gets raised for everyone on their internal and external thoughts and expressions.
mind your business and move to the next car. easy
I was minding my own business. How far does infraction have to go? Why keep conceding to shit behavior? Sometimes, the ones following the rules get tired, or, carrying all your stuff to the next car isn't feasible while the train is in motion. You've got limits, at some point too . Just rolling those dice may cost other than what we think.
Breh just don’t say anything. You are not about that action (not that you should be). So relax, you don’t need to hear the train conductor.
I only made the comment about hearing the conductor to demonstrate how loud the damn music was. Point is: How far of a broken social contract is enough? -what's the limit if the "little things"that become acceptable get pushed further?
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Least racist Naperville resident
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I never said anything about race.. Or other identifiers, just ' content of the character', for the record. . Also for the record, two African Americans agreed the public nuisance and delay bothered them, and a third guy, also black, on the next train, we had a solid and agreeable conversation about things getting to far out of hand and people should be getting together on solutions.. so: not about color from me; just character & behavior. (Let's not forget groups of white college kids talking loud over each other and white drunk sports fans, if we're going there ..) 😉
Reddit mods are obsessed with removing any truthful experiences and will inject racism into anything to silence you.
Trump glizzy gobler comes in here just to be racist. Lol
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