All of us have, at least once in our life, travelled in trains. A typical scene on a railway platform in India makes for a sight to remember. We compiled our top experiences to come up with something you would relate to. Ahead are a few common and hilarious things people are seen doing at the platform to pass those minutes and hours while waiting for their train. Keep reading… for the sake of sheer fun!
Social networking
Not the virtual kind, we are talking about networking in the real world. People call a friend or family and engage in long… like really long conversation on random things. Another common sight is that of people bonding with co-travellers. Because our India ki janta is quite a pro in picking a conversation with strangers or co-travellers, they would while away some time in exchange of information, views and ideas on things like train timings, their destination, local affairs, extracting as much personal info about the other person as they can! Without bearing any offence for the intrusive questions, Indians love getting chatty with their co-passengers and answering most queries that come their way.
Political talks
When two Bhartiya co-travellers strike a conversation, political talks are bound to happen. Need we say more?
People watching
Watching what is others’ business is our business—is the dictum followed by the bored passengers to pass their time at the railway platform. They would set their keen eyes on everything and anything, right from the woman in purple sari, the family of four enjoying their impromptu meal, the beggar asking for alms, young girls walking around, the passengers de-boarding other trains and so much more.
Surfing the book kiosk
Book worms and casual readers are seen taking a trip to the nearest book stall while awaiting the arrival of their train. They are most likely to browse through book shelves at these kiosks. It has been observed that comics, pulp fiction, magazines, newspapers and a cheap romantic novel are the hot picks.
Catching up on the Zzzzzz…
Train delayed by an hour or two or even more? Okay, that is a lot of time to hit the snooze button right there on the platform. Indians love to sleep when they have nothing better to do. All that people do is spread out their sheets on the not-so-clean floor (in case the seats are occupied). The baggage doubles up as a head rest. Why waste any time if you can spend it sleeping. Huh!
Sipping on the chai…
Chai or tea is a staple beverage that almost every Indian swears by. And for some reason, the kind of tea sold on the railway platforms is irresistible. Passengers waiting on the platforms very often get tempted to buy a hot cuppa from the chai wallahs—either served in a cutting glass or the traditional kulhad (earthen cup). Considering the habitual train delays and erratic timings of most Indian trains, drinking the delicious chai with a plate of samosa seems a good pastime. As they say, where there is chai, there’s hope. Oh! Chai.
Or simply, brooding..
If nothing else, getting immersed in deep thoughts, contemplating and ruminating is what the humans on a railway platform tend to do. It is time for thinking deeply about that pending official work, efficiency of that weight loss program, retirement plans, children’s upcoming exams, what to eat during the trip and other matters that were left unattended.