civil society requires a certain protocol when entering forms of public transportation or elevation. The correct procedure is:

1. stand to the left of the device
2. allow those within to exit
3. acknowledge their departure
4. enter

Following these procdeures will maximise traffic flow and minimise door spamming.

We don’t like door spamming.

I noticed this morning while waiting for the bus that there has been a fundamental breakdown in the fabric of society. This breakdown occurs more frequently than you would imagine. In fact it is probably happening even as you read this. What terrible breakdown is rendering our society asunder? It is the bus scrum.

It appears that all social decency departs my fellow commuter at the bus stop. Once a bus arrives it is a free for all. Even small children, granny, and the invalided are given no special consideration. It is just push, push, push.

What can be done to address this? It is fairly simple. Just form a line. Failing that, follow the South American model. “Who was the next”? Ask this one question when you arrive at the stop and all you have to do is remember the person in front of you. When the next person arrives they ask the same question. Thus your place in the queue is firmly established. Simple.

It is a simple proposition: if the traffic light is red you stop; if it is green you may proceed. This applies equally to pedestrians and vehicles. Yet why, as i was crossing the Martin Pl George St intersection on foot, on a green light, did Stereotypical Ute driver insist on not only cutting in front of me, but pushing through a score or more of my follow bi-peds? THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, Ute Man. YOU MUST STOP when the light is red. Green means go, red means stop. Need I break it down any further?

And to all of you out there even thinking of running a red light at a pedestrian crossing: do it at your peril! I, ever vigilant astro dude, will be watching, waiting for you to slip up!

what is it with people? don’t they know the shelter is there to share? who died and made obnoxious haughty lady there on the bench so important that she couldn’t possibly move her bags off the seat? what about the other commuters seeking refuge from the deluge? and don’t get me started on the tosser at the back – yeah I see you – does he think we’re all smokers? at least have the decency to leave the shelter! people!

Lemon yellow shirts on old men are offensive. Especially at 8.30 pm on Eddy Avenue when I’m trying to cross the road, in that kind of rain that will not go away. Head down umbrella up… thongs appear in my peripheral vision and then in front of me and further up, wrinkly legs and then … yes those safari pants certain out-of-towners  feel safe in, regardless of weather or terrain. This is no place for you lemon yellow man. Please catch the bus back to the Gold Coast.

Its summertime in Sydney and yet it seems to be raining all the time. Along with the rain comes umbrellas.  Small ones, big ones and most annoyingly, pointy ones.  There needs to be a certain etiquette when handling umbrellas, based upon the following hazards:

• Hazard 1 - carrying the folded umbrella – long pointy umbrellas should not be carried horizontally when walking. The backward and forward motion of your arm is carried to the javelin like umbrella and often comes within inches of the groin of the person behind you.
• Hazard 2 – walking with open umbrella – the key here is to be aware of other people.  Your umbrella protects you, but becomes an eye gouging instrument to others (thank you to the woman on George Street who jabbed me in the neck with hers).

Remember, like many things, carrying an umbrella is a privilege, not a right – so be careful with yours and respectful of others.

1. support those who feel disadvantaged by dawdlers
2. raise awareness re:  dawdling and that it is not OK during peak times, such as lunch or between dawn and dusk.