You're referring to the rats the size of an alsation that eat commuters, I've seen it happen, they cover it up, but it happens.
Maybe the Tube could hire cats.
And the Overground/Metro them new trains is all air conditioned.
the Japanese hire cats
I read the news today oh boy! Page 1,541
Yes, a lovely safe place to have cats...
The black meece are tiny and cute.
Quote: sootyj @ 29th April 2014, 6:40 PM BSTHey Shandy have you seen your horrorscope, a tall, dark, stranger will assist you opening a tin of beans.
Quote: zooo @ 29th April 2014, 7:07 PM BSTYes, a lovely safe place to have cats...
The black meece are tiny and cute.
If only the Americans felt like you.
Quote: sootyj @ 29th April 2014, 3:55 PM BSTThough RCP you do have come across something that really annoys me. And that's pseudo self diagnosis.
For example there's a huge difference between being uncomfortable travelling on the tube and sleeping rough for the night, because rush hour and night buses terrify you.
In the recent past I've had panic attacks and turned around when approaching a busy station. My fear is not with the actual mode of transport, it's to do with swarms of hyper aggressive unthinking animals in human form, pushing, shoving and crushing against me.
As far as I'm concerned, rush hour is a polite riot. If you think my phobia is disproportionate to the risk, then that is because you have been socialised to believe that it's safe. My previous comment about being stigmatised for even bringing it up is yet further re-enforcement that my 'pseudo self-diagnosis' is 100% 'accurate self-diagnosis'.
That's different and you've got my sympathy. I used to have something similar, but was saved by modern technology.
Certainly sounds like a real diagnosis and self diagnosises are often accurate, if you're identifying meaningful ways they impact your life.
You've spoken about this before.
Have you considered talking to your GP? CBT can be very helpful with phobias.
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ 29th April 2014, 10:19 PM BSTIn the recent past I've had panic attacks and turned around when approaching a busy station.
Firstly, sympathies. Panic attacks are shit.
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ 29th April 2014, 10:19 PM BSTIf you think my phobia is disproportionate to the risk, then that is because you have been socialised to believe that it's safe.
What is the risk that you perceive that others have been "socialised" out of?
Quote: sootyj @ 29th April 2014, 10:23 PM BSTCBT can be very helpful with phobias.
And with life in general. CBT is great.
Having to look at women eating on a crowded tube?
(sorry phobias suck)
Quote: Jennie @ 29th April 2014, 10:24 PM BSTAnd with life in general. CBT is great.
Though I always prefer a BLT
Quote: sootyj @ 29th April 2014, 10:23 PM BSTHave you considered talking to your GP? CBT can be very helpful with phobias.
Thanks for the sympathy, but I'm loathe to talk to a doctor about any mental anxiety as it might appear on a form or computer somewhere and damage future prospects for work, travel, etc. - Hooray! I'm paranoid to boot.
I have come up with my own coping mechanisms and intellectualised my fears - basically I've socialised myself to overcome the reptilian part of my brain that screams danger whenever I see a tube platform teeming with unpredictable humans, some stood inches away from certain death, totally unaware of the precarious nature of their surroundings. I try to breathe deeply and think happy thoughts as I'm shoved by several hundred people into a ticket barrier - or if on the Northern Line, a tiny lift.
There are reasons why your local work canteen doesn't have a great big train running through it, centimetres from your chair with no barriers to separate you. Similarly for buses, unless you are paid to work with the mentally unstable, drunks, drug addicts, thieves, etc., you would never voluntarily choose to sit next to them in an enclosed space without security or safety protocols.
Obviously, I'm not violently killed every time I travel on public transport, but neither were most British soldiers sent to Afghanistan violently killed. It doesn't mean there isn't great potential for harm.
Those people who walk along the very edge of the platform blow my mind. Anyone standing there could be crazy and push you off, or clumsy and whack you with their enormous backpack. I never stand near the edge. I think that's bloody sensible.
I generally quite like being in crowds though. Just not near edges of stuff...
Quote: zooo @ 29th April 2014, 10:44 PM BSTThose people who walk along the very edge of the platform blow my mind. Anyone standing there could be crazy and push you off,
True, but then a passing nut could push you into a busy road as you walk along the pavement. Or a driver could just think 'f**k it' and mount the pavement. DEATH IS EVERYWHERE AND WANTS YOU.
That's why I always look upon my fellow citizens with deep suspicion. And am poised ready to fling myself out of danger at all times.
I wouldn't worry about the GP, your medical secrets are very safe and unless you've actually wondered into the criminal justice system you're pretty safe.
I just found a basic pad with music and a couple of downloaded books let me block the whole world out.
Quote: sootyj @ 29th April 2014, 10:48 PM BSTI wouldn't worry about the GP, your medical secrets are very safe and unless you've actually wondered into the criminal justice system you're pretty safe.
Even then, it is bloody difficult to get your hands on medical notes/social services reports etc. I know, I have tried often enough.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ 29th April 2014, 10:46 PM BSTTrue, but then a passing nut could push you into a busy road as you walk along the pavement. Or a driver could just think 'f**k it' and mount the pavement. DEATH IS EVERYWHERE AND WANTS YOU.
On the pavement, there is a certain degree of freedom and self determination. It's only when we impose artificial constructs, such as police kettleing techniques or the January Sales that the dangers become readily apparent to me.
But your point that DEATH IS EVERYWHERE is certainly a good one, otherwise we'd let our children run around near busy roads unsupervised.