I gave up my seat on the subway today.
I was sitting, playing Tetris, minding my own business, when, at the Franklin Avenue stop, an elderly woman boarded the crowded train.
I was one of about 4 people that boarded the train at its origin station, so somebody else who boarded after us SHOULD have felt obligated to offer his seat before I did, but nobody was taking the initiative, so I intervened.
“Hey, do you wanna sit down?”
“Yes.”
I stand up and step aside, and the woman sits down.
Approximately 20 seconds later, the train begins moving again. I continue my game of Tetris. 500,000 points, feeling good, probably going to max out, beautiful playing field, incredibly organized…
Wait! She didn’t say “thank you!”
Immediately, I become preoccupied with the realization that this woman has taken my kindness for granted.
A box-piece falls. There’s nowhere to place it without leaving a space open.
“Damn it.”
A right-facing L piece falls. Again, there’s nowhere to place this without leaving an additional space open.
“I mean, you gotta be fu**ing kidding me.”
ANOTHER BOX-PIECE FALLS. I now have a massive tower in the middle of my play-field with 4 open spaces strewn about.
“Damn it. Damn it!”
The playfield grows, and grows, and grows.
I eliminate a line here, a line there.
It’s no use.
The distraction in my own head directly causes my downfall in a promising max-out round.
How dare she not thank me!
Look, OBVIOUSLY I don’t regret giving her my seat. There’s no reason why I should sit while this elderly woman stands, but still!
Honestly, had I known in advance I wasn’t going to be getting even so much as a “thanks, mate,” I still would have gotten up, simply out of the kindness of my own heart- but come on!
Obviously, I don’t want to stand, either, ma’am!
The train is tremendously crowded, and people are at incredibly close quarters. We all want to sit down!
Think for a second: what is more difficult—standing in a crowded subway or SAYING “THANK YOU.”
Had she said “thanks,” I probably would’ve, in fact, maxed out that round of Tetris because I wouldn’t have been thinking out manner (or lack thereof).
It’s not too much to ask for, I don’t think.
Again, I didn’t get up for the express purpose of getting a “thank you,” but it still would’ve been nice to have gotten one.
Until next time,
Michael J. Erickson, CEO & Co-Founder
