Because American culture is dominated by cars, which are basically couches and recliners encased in steel and glass, many people new to Seattle have no clue how to conduct themselves in the shared spaces of public transit.
Make no mistake: Public transit is good for your health and good for the planet. Compared to riding in a car, the fatality risk is miniscule. But the adjustment from one mode of transportation to the other is by no means easy. If you have just moved here from some suburban wasteland (i.e., a place without trains or buses), you are probably intimidated. You can figure out which bus to take at metro.kingcounty.gov. You can figure out where to catch light rail at soundtransit.org. But how should you act, where should you stand, and what should you not do? Follow me.
