Public transport once again…

Since we tend to catch the same tram each morning when going to work, there are certain people we are beginning to recognise who also catch the same tram. There is one particular group of three young(*) 20-ish people who entertain us with their stupidity each time we see them.

They get on about halfway along the tram route, by which time the tram has a reasonable number of people on it but is still not too full. Since there are three of them, it would seem that they would be easily accommodated for seating since most blocks of four seats have only one person sitting in them. However, these are SPOTDs and therefore nothing is simple. From the body language, it is clear that the male and one female are a couple, and the other female is a friend. For the sake of mental imagery, I’ll refer to them as “Boyfriend”, “Girlfriend” and “Friend”.

Upon boarding the tram, all three look around for available seats. Since there are two seats facing forward and two facing backward in each block of four, there is usually someone sitting facing forward in the window seat. This means they could sit so that Friend faces forward while Boyfriend and Girlfriend share a seat facing backward. However, Girlfriend always leads the way to the seats and then sits facing forward next to whoever is already on the tram. Friend then sits in the aisle seat facing backward which means Boyfriend has to stand up since it seems he is not permitted to sit beside Friend.

If the previous occupant of the other forward facing seat gets off, Friend moves to face forward and Boyfriend may then sit opposite Girlfriend. This means the possible theory of him not wanting to sit facing backward is disproved since he is obviously quite willing to do so - he just can’t do so whilst Friend is sitting there.

This happens every time we see them, with Boyfriend standing for at least ten stops before the Friend gets the chance to move and he may sit. The question of exactly who is the SPOTD remains though.

Is it Girlfriend for always sitting facing forward and making her man stand up?

Is it Boyfriend for tolerating her stupid behaviour?

Is it Friend for associating with two SPOTDs?

* = Oh no! I think of 20-year-olds are “young” now? I am getting old…

Categories: SPOTD