5 Things You May Not Have Considered While Riding the DC Metro

5 Things You May Not Have Considered While Riding the DC Metro
By: Kaitlyn Holmecki

Hello, fellow WAIPers. So, as many of you know the Metro system is an integral part of any, quality, DC experience. To many, it may seem like a trivial matter, and to those living in Washington, it is most likely just seen as a necessary evil that accompanies their daily commute. I, on the other hand, find the Metro system to be an exciting addition to the DC experience. I know that this must sound strange to most people, but I find the Metro system to be fascinating. There is something about the efficiency of an underground rail system that I find intriguing and makes me wonder why so many cities lack this time-saving feature.

I first experienced a rail system, like the Metro, while living in Atlanta. That rail system is known as the MARTA, which stands for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. It is a much smaller version of the Metro, which connects the north, south, east and west side of Atlanta to one point in the center of the city. It wasn’t until I traveled to London and experienced their Underground that I found my appreciation for mass transit. Perhaps it is because I have always lived in the suburbs and therefore have never had the pleasure of regularly using a subway system, or maybe it’s because I am more of an analytical person, so I find satisfaction in the increased efficiency of an underground mass transit system. Either way, I love that I get to use the Metro every day and I hope that you all appreciate it even more after reading this post. So without further ado, here are five observations that I made while riding the metro that you may find interesting.      

1. Don't Be That Person!

We were told from the beginning that DC is a fast-paced city that requires you to be alert in order to keep up with everyone. I found this to be no truer than when riding the Metro. For example, DO NOT stand on the left side of the escalators. We have all seen the people who forget this rule. These individuals either have a long line of pissed off people filed behind them or they have people passive-aggressively push past them on the right side, attempting to silently signal to them to MOVE OUT OF THE WAY! As you can probably tell I am the type of person that does not appreciate being held up unnecessarily. So next time that you ride the Metro remember this warning. (Note: This rule applies to driving as well, even if there are numerous people out there that think it’s cool to do 70 mph in the left lane of a four-lane highway.)

Me when people don't move!

2. Perhaps We Were Wrong About DCers

I have found that the idea that people in DC and those from the east coast are not as nice as people from the Midwest, to be a commonly shared idea among WAIPers at first. I can neither confirm nor deny this, but I can say that I have been witness to several instances when people on the metro, during rush hour when an open seat is practically unheard of, have given up their seat for someone who was in need of a seat. Now you could certainly argue that this does not mean that east coasters are actually nice. I mean there is a sign that points out that it is the law to give up your seat to those who are handicapped or elderly. However, I would argue that being courteous to those who are in need is one of the unspoken DC Metro rules that every commuter feels obligated to follow, no matter who they are.

So you are telling me that some people don't like the Metro?

3. I Hope That You Put on Deodorant Today!

Even though we live in America, and unlike most other countries we expect our personal space to be respected on a regular basis, personal bubbles aren’t really a thing during rush hour on the Metro. Now, DC rush hour is nothing compared to a place like Tokyo (If you haven’t seen the videos of people being packed into subway trains, you definitely should look it up) however, if you are one of many trying to squeeze into a train car in the morning before the doors close then expect to have someone breathing down your neck. Please understand that dillydallying is not tolerated when entering or exiting the metro; you either need to keep up or get out of the way. Because if it comes down to shoving their way into the car or getting eaten by the doors, people will always choose the latter.   

Poll: Professional people shovers for the DC Metro. Yes or No?

4. “PIVOT!”

I have also been pleasantly surprised by the unspoken cooperation that seems to exist among complete strangers while riding the metro. As everyone who has ever ridden the Metro will understand when the train reaches a stop there is the inevitable shift of people. Those who are getting off will slowly move towards the exit while the riders who intend to continue down the line will position themselves around those who are leaving. Then the doors open, allowing people to leave, and creating a window of opportunity for those who are already on the train to find a new position before all the free space is filled with more commuters. Though this may seem like a ridiculous thing to think about, of course, people are going to move, I have an appreciation for this adult version of musical chairs. I think that it speaks to the civility of humanity, that thousands of strangers can work together to accomplish a common goal. Because, no matter who you are, no one wants to be stuck waiting for the Metro at 9:00 am on a Monday morning because too many people are trying to shove through the door at once. 

Friends. Enough said.

5. “Okay, Single File Everyone!”

Think back to your time in Kindergarten and those early years of elementary school. Remember when it was time to leave the classroom, whether you were going to lunch, recess or even just the bathroom, and everyone had to line up in front of the door in a single file line before being permitted to exit the room? Well, surprise! You get to use those single filing skills regularly when using the Metro. There are three major points during a regular commute when an individual will need to remember how to organize in a single file line. One, as mentioned previously, while ascending or descending the escalator. Whether you are walking or standing, making sure to stay as close to the side as possible is crucial when everyone and their brother is rushing around you. Second, while waiting for the train doors to open before boarding a train. Now you may notice that many people often forget how a single file line works at this point in your commute, but most people understand that you supposed to choose one side of the doors to stand at while you wait for the people who are exiting the car to file out. These lines tend to be angled, to allow those in the back of the line to see when everyone has finished getting off the train and when it is time for them to board. The third time occurs when you swipe in and out of a Metro station. For perspective imagine that 50 people get off the same train at Federal Triangle, at the same time, take the same exit and there are only three turnstiles to service them all. Now, there is going to be traffic. So, it is at this point that everyone picks a lane and waits their turn to swipe through. Think of it like waiting in line to check out at the grocery store, some lines move faster than others, and you can usually count on at least one person to wait until the last second to find their card. So, what is the moral of this story? Well, just like in Kindergarten, everyone wants to be the line leader.        

Look at how well behaved the caribou are!!! 

Welcome to the Steel World

This picture has nothing to do with my post, but it's cute so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

As a John Glenn Fellow, you are required to post in weekly discussion posts on Carmen.

Every week, Katy asks us to post our “wow” moment of the week, and I find it interesting to see

what my fellow WAIP interns are up to in their internships. When I found out we had to write a blog

post, I had no idea what I would write about. After yesterday, I knew exactly what I would write

about, my “wow moment” of the semester.

I’m interning at Nucor Public Affairs, which is the government affairs office for Nucor Corporation.

Nucor is the largest steel producer and recycler in the United States. Like any other American

steel company, we care a lot about trade policy. In particular, we have been following the section 232

investigation closely. Last year, the Trump Administration initiated an investigation under Section 232

of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to determine if the surge of imports in steel (mostly from China)

is a threat to U.S. national security. The Department of Commerce conducted the investigation and

gave the President three options for action, one of them being tariffs on imports. Nucor and other steel

companies are generally supportive of tariffs on imported steel because it fights unfair trade. Yesterday,

we hoped that the President would impose the tariffs.

Yesterday, President Trump held a meeting with a group of major steel CEOs and held a discussion

about unfair trade and how it impacts the companies and the overall U.S. economy. Our office is only

a couple of blocks away from the White House, so the Nucor CEO and the other steel CEOs that

attended the meeting met in the Nucor office beforehand. It was definitely a “wow moment” in itself

to meet all of them and hear their take on what they thought was going to happen. Then they all went

to the White House for the meeting, and there was reporting that there wasn’t going to be an

announcement of a decision by the President, which was disappointing. Then, we saw on the news

that the President actually decided to impose the tariffs. After the discussion, he told the steel CEOs

that he would be placing 25% tariffs on imported steel and 10% tariffs on imported aluminum as a

result of the Section 232 investigation. It was so cool to see a major event like this unfold in person

and on TV, and it was definitely my “wow moment” of the semester.

What I Wish I Had Known About WAIP

Welcome to WAIP 1100, your crash course on what I wish I would have known before traveling to the big city! I am about halfway through my internship (I’m not crying, you’re crying) and I think I’ve learned a few pretty good tips along the way. Hopefully my advice will make it to the next semester of yo-pros ready to take on DC! Here are the five things I’ve come up with to keep you excited about DC and to get you ready for your next semester here.

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 1. Welcome to DC: You’re About to Learn a Whole Bunch of Acronyms

Did I ever think I would need to know how to find a CRS report about FNSUSDA funding under the current CR before the PBR comes out? Nope. Honestly it still sounds a little more like alphabet soup to me. How about knowing the meaning behind NIH, NSF, NNSA, NSA, SEC, FEC, FERC, FCC, CDC, or HELP (yes, I swear that one’s real and isn’t just me screaming into the void). Pro-Tip: act like you know what it means; try your hardest to remember the letters in order, wipe off that ‘deer in headlights’ look that’s on your face, and WRITE DOWN the actual meaning after you google it at the comfort of your own desk!

     2. Working 8 am – 5 pm is HARD

I always used to make fun of my parents for being tired after getting home from work around 5:30. Now, jokes on me; the second I walk through the door of the WAIP house I’m ready to go to bed. One day in DC feels like a week back in Columbus, and that has its own pros and cons. As tired as you will somehow be even if you just stare at a computer screen all day, try to get out and see things here. The museums are always open and there’s a McDonalds in Union Station, honestly what more do you need - opportunity awaits!

    3. People are Willing to Help You

This is a BIG one. Like most of you probably are, I’m from the Midwest. I definitely don’t pride myself on possessing the ability to elegantly enter pretty much any situation, especially one where I’m attempting to hand someone my business card. If anything, I’m just awkward (an absurd amount of the time). However, I am quickly discovering how willing people are to help interns, even with there being what seems like five million of us in DC at once. Ask for help when you need it, and follow up! I promise you’ll get the best advice from people who were in your shoes a few years ago.

   4. At Least One Person in Your Cohort Will See a Famous Senator or    

        Representative and Cry – Yes, Actual Tears

If you don’t have that person in mind already, the one that will make you cry just by existing (mine is Joe Kennedy – *swoon*), then you might think my fourth piece of advice is a little weird. Honestly maybe this isn’t even advice, just a heads up before you start crying in the middle of a rally full of people you don’t know! And get this, it hasn’t only happened to me; shall I recount the story about my roommate seeing Senator Sanders across the street? The one where she told him to have a ‘great day’ through tears? Future WAIPers, just think about the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet!

However, do keep in mind that these people who work on the Hill every day, the ones that we see on TV and follow on Twitter, are exactly that, people. Trust me, I’m sure even Mr. Kennedy wakes up in the morning and has breakfast like me and you before he’s off to save the world through public policy. DC is just the place you get to actually interact with Congress people like him!

   5. Everything you thought about what you wanted in the future is about to change,  

         but in best way!

The point that I really hope you take away after reading this, is that what you get out of this experience is equivalent to all that you put in. So don’t be afraid to actually let yourself like living here! Throwback to when I told my mom I would no longer be coming to DC to participate in WAIP. Did I forget to mention that this was two nights before both of my parents had taken the day off work to drive me all the way out here? I guess you can tell by now that things with that plan didn’t exactly work out.

The reality is that being here marks the first time in my life in which I’ve lived away from Columbus. This is the first time in my life that I have ever questioned my future career path. And surprise, WAIP is still the best decision I think I have ever made! I am already figuring out how I’m going to get myself back here, and I haven’t even left yet. I have met some of the greatest people and cannot wait to see what opportunities my future holds thanks to good ole Senator John Glenn and the program he inspired.

Good luck to you & stay excited, welcome to WAIP!