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6 people you see on every morning commute

IT’S BACK TO work for a lot of people today and what’s the one thing to dread more than being back in the office?

The commute.

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In theory, the commute could be a little time to yourself before work, giving you a few minutes to read a book, or watch a show on your phone or tablet, or even to get a headstart on some work emails if you can.

In reality, it’s a little different – but what you can always count on is coming across certain types of commuters.

Here are six of them.

1. The elbower

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When someone’s queueing for a train, Luas, or bus all they want is to get on first in the hopes of grabbing one of the last few seats.

It’s human nature. Nothing wrong there.

And in an effort to maintain their position against more unscrupulous commuters, they must lock their elbows to avoid losing their place. And maybe give the odd nudge to someone who’s overstepped the line.

2. The pusher

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Moving on and up from the elbower is the pusher. These people actively push others out of their way in order to get the best place in the queue or to manoeuvre their way in front of the door. They’ll even push past people in the aisles in the rush to find a seat.

They’re less common than the elbower, but they definitely exist.

Beware.

3. The frantic seat searcher

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There’s always a growing sense of panic when you get on an almost-full bus, Luas or train. There’s the hope that you’ll grab a seat, and the fear that you’ll be standing all the way to your destination.

So the frantic seat searcher moves down the aisle, eyes darting and hope fading with every passing row.

It’s tough to watch.

4. The real sleeper

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There’s always someone who’s definitely asleep.

How do you know this?

Because they’re slowly but surely leaning more and more on the poor person beside them, who tries to make themself as small and as far away as possible in an effort not to be slept on.

Never works.

5. The fake sleeper

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There’s always one, isn’t there?

You know they’re not sleeping, they know they’re not sleeping, but there’s no way they have to stand up and give their seat to someone more deserving if they’re asleep, can they?

6. The one who gives up their seat

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Ah, these are a rare but beautiful breed. They’re the ones who, even if they are absorbed in their phones or books, will look up occasionally and if they see someone more needing of their seat will give it to them.

It restores faith in human nature really.

Which type of commuter are you? Let us know in the comments below.

No matter what method of public transport you end up on today, or who you end up sitting beside, make sure you head over to Transport for Ireland to sort out all your transport planning needs. You can plan your whole journey from start to finish. Transport for Ireland – your journey starts here

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34 Comments
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    Mute Shane Farrell
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    Jan 4th 2016, 8:18 AM

    Don’t forget The One Who Thinks Their Bag Deserves A Seat More Than You. This breed think they’re bus royalty and their bag is their escort that’s paid for its own seat. Refuse to glance up to see if anybody might want the seat, even when the bus is packed. Only when you directly call them out will they ever remove their bag. Officially a worst commuter than The Junkie That Has No Concept Of Personal Space.

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    Mute BlueSkyThinking
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    Jan 4th 2016, 11:31 AM

    I’d rather ask someone to move their bag than deal with a junkie tbh.

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    Mute Shane Farrell
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    Jan 4th 2016, 11:42 AM

    True. I may have let my past experiences with the seat hoggers come to a boil at the end there :D

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    Mute Barry Vickers
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    Jan 4th 2016, 12:07 AM

    Motorbike me. Please check your mirrors and over your shoulders for me and my fellow motorcyclists tomorrow morning.

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    Mute Conor Foley
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    Jan 4th 2016, 12:14 AM

    Will do, and if you and your fellow bikers could try to remember the gap between cars passing each other is not a over taking Kane that would be great also…..

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    Mute Mackmullet
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    Jan 5th 2016, 8:30 AM

    Totally legal my man.. Tis called filtering. 1 of the many perks of having a motorbike :)

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    Mute Niall Cassidy
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    Jan 4th 2016, 2:43 AM

    A message to all road users. Red light means stop. (Cyclists take note)

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Jan 4th 2016, 5:46 AM

    And yellow means it is going to turn red not to floor it over a junction into a yellow box

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    Jen
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    Mute Jen
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    Jan 4th 2016, 8:22 AM

    You missed the Knee Spreader. Usually male. Sits down and immediately puts at least 2 feet of space between their knees, regardless of anyone sharing the seat with them.

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    Mute BlueSkyThinking
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    Jan 4th 2016, 11:30 AM

    It’s called manspreading. While I do object to fellas who take it to extremes, women need to realise that there’s something between our legs that prevents us from closing our legs for long periods without things getting hot and sweaty down there. Our balls are external as they need to be kept cool. Prolonged heating over time can cause fertility issues in men.

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    Jen
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    Mute Jen
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    Jan 4th 2016, 11:39 AM

    While I doubt the commute is going to damage those little swimmers, if needs must then feel free to throw that other knee out into the aisle. Not over the midline of the seat and beyond

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Jan 5th 2016, 8:46 AM

    And amongst women, the leg crosser – so that her foot sticks out in the aisle. All I want in the morning before a coffee is an obstacle course or tripping incident to wake me up – yeah right!

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    Mute Seán Flynn
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    Jan 5th 2016, 4:24 PM

    Saw a frotteur getting a thumping on the train the other day. He’d been rubbing up against a girl not realising the big bloke beside her was her boyfriend. The sound of an open-handed slap on his chops cheered me right up.

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    Mute Brian Lenehan
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    Jan 4th 2016, 5:50 AM

    Since ye reduced the number of carriages you’ve made us all “elbowers” and “pushers”. It’s like a cattle train sometimes. Humiliating.

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    Mute DeeJay
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    Jan 4th 2016, 8:24 AM

    People who sit on the outside seat leaving the inside seat empty

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    Mute Brian Lenehan
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    Jan 4th 2016, 8:30 AM

    Perhaps they’re keeping it for you?

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    Mute Jack Coldrick
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    Jan 4th 2016, 11:10 AM

    Don’t forget the person who talks at the top of their lungs whilst on the phone!

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    Mute Helen Farrell
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    Jan 4th 2016, 8:49 AM

    People who burp stale garlic on the bus. The ones who cough or sneeze onto the back of your head, and you can feel your hair move. The ones that don’t disable the touchtone on their devices. #joysofthebus

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Jan 4th 2016, 12:45 AM

    Why does everyone dress the same? The few time ive been on a dart around peek times everyone is wearing black Gray or navy blue, never reds yellows or bright colours! Depressing looking!

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Jan 4th 2016, 10:32 AM

    They’re going to something called an office to do a thing called work.

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    Mute Naomi O'Donovan
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    Jan 4th 2016, 10:50 AM

    The stinker ! Some one who just smells REALLY bad

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    Mute RedDevil
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    Jan 4th 2016, 1:00 AM

    fake sleeper

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Jan 4th 2016, 1:14 AM

    Your right there mindful, my daughter has been hit twice by careless drivers & went into a pot hole on merrion avenue, was fliped over the handlebars, not one car stopped to see was she alrite! Seriously whats wrong with people?

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Jan 4th 2016, 6:36 AM

    7. The bus driver.

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    Mute Mindfulirish
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    Jan 4th 2016, 12:53 AM

    Don’t be stupid expecting motorists to behave. Cyclists, motor cyclists, pedestrians should realise that motorists will text, phone, email,Facebook, tweet etc while driving. 1 split second and death or serious injury is just happening simply because people expecting other people to behave in a certain way is stupid. People are stupid and do stupid things. It won’t change. To all the stupid people who risk their kids lives I bikes with child carriers in front — get real and stop risking a child’s life for your own selfish need, your kids will suffer on the end. It’s also a stupid example to show them.

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    Mute Irish Cottage Rental
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    Jan 4th 2016, 8:29 AM

    With non Dart journey times on many services into Dublin due to get even slower this year what about the ‘politician’? Endless announcements about Metro North and Dart underground but no real action on rail infrastructure.

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    Mute Brian Lenehan
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    Jan 4th 2016, 8:32 AM

    They already are getting slower. 20 minute plus delay on Longford to Connolly train, stuck in Ashtown, packed in like sardines.

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    Mute Joe Smith
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    Jan 4th 2016, 9:33 AM

    What about the Flirter ? shy casual looks, and you gawking back :)

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    Mute TheCredibleHulk
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    Jan 4th 2016, 11:35 AM

    You left out the broke passenger with the ridiculous price of train tickets

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    Mute Josephine Gallagher
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    Jan 4th 2016, 2:43 AM

    Peek times : )

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    Mute Niall Cassidy
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    Jan 4th 2016, 2:41 AM

    I remember that episode of Seinfeld. Classic stuff.

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    Mute G H
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    Jan 4th 2016, 12:38 PM

    The farter

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    Mute Joe Smith
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    Jan 5th 2016, 1:20 AM

    Fart and then frown at the poor individual nearest you :)

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    Mute Mindfulirish
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    Jan 5th 2016, 3:41 AM

    The one person you don’t see is a cleaner collecting rubbish.

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