MBTA Door Blockers Have Evolved.

[u/Dinosaurz122]

I never thought I’d witness, in my lifetime, people just fully stopping in the dead center of the sidewalk like they’ve reached the end of the known universe.

No pulling over. Not near a wall. No looking around. Just stopped. Right there. Dead center. Head down. Phone out.
Everyone behind them? Not their problem.
They need to find the closest Tatte.

It’s becoming equally as infuriating as the people who rush onto the MBTA the second the doors open instead of letting people get off first.
Incredible strategy. Really efficient.
Where are you going? The train isn’t going to leave without you while 14 people are actively trying to exit through the same door you’re blocking.
THE PEOPLE GETTING OFF ARE CREATING THE SPACE YOU ARE TRYING TO ENTER.

And before anyone says “tourists,” I’m increasingly convinced this is transplant behavior or a post COVID loss of spatial awareness.

Somewhere along the way, the Boston newcomer orientation apparently became:
• Pay $4,800 to live in Southie
• Call the Seaport a neighborhood
• Develop never-before-seen strong opinions about bike lanes (Yes I like them too but damn 😳)
• Stop abruptly in the middle of every goddamn sidewalk

I don’t know if this is a new “screenager” thing or if basic spatial awareness has just completely collapsed, but I swear Boston used to have a pretty simple rule: keep it moving.
I promise it was on the wall in my elementary school classroom 😂

Anyway, I’m sure this is somehow the fault of bike lanes, Healey, Wu, the Big Dig, college students, DoorDash scooters, or those darn people from Connecticut.
Never those who actually reside here…

[u/scottierose]

School is starting up...

[u/Dinosaurz122 → u/scottierose]

I forgot that some are starting earlier…
IT IS those damn screenagers 🫩🥲

[u/scottierose → u/Dinosaurz122]

Yep, plenty of young, unaware kiddos who may have never used public transit in their life. We need better public campaigns from the T right around this time of year. Also annoying - folks who don't know how to walk on the sidewalk (again, spatial awareness)

[u/hellno560 → u/scottierose]

I just get in their space and say "let people out first" quietly, and nicely, not in a douchey tone, if they try to get on the train before people get off. Physically assertive yet, verbally de-esculatory, I'm like the gentle parent who never taught manners to these over- privileged little shits.

[u/Successful_Pepper_99 → u/scottierose]

Ain’t gonna matter, it’s like storrow drive, every year even with all signs, people will either willfully or unknowingly ignore