Lessons from the L

Lessons from two months of riding the Chicago CTA "L" - or elevated train transit through the city. 

Silence is golden.
On the Metra and other trains I've taken, it's normal to chat with the person sitting next to you or talk on the phone. On the L, this is silently banned and you are the odd ball out if you even speak to your neighbor or dial someone. 

Reading is not a hobby, but a talent.
As the trains take constant turns, it's easy to get jerked around and difficult to maintain balance. Those that are reading books, newspapers & magazines, tablets or material on their smartphones are not just in it for the ride, but are challenged to actually read the material (especially if they are standing up). Moving and reading is hard! 

Sunglasses in the dark are normal. 
Maybe it's laziness, maybe people haven't done their makeup yet, maybe they want to avoid eye contact...but even though the red line is an underground Subway, many riders keep their sunglasses on.

It changes from the city to the suburbs QUICKLY.

Especially on the blue and purple lines of the L - you are seeing urban neighborhoods one minute, and then immediately transition into seeing grass and brick homes. It's crazy how fast you can get from Chicago to Wilmette, or Chicago to Rosemont. 

Weird people exist, and a lot of them ride public transit.

There are a lot of strange individuals you come across on public transportation. It reminds you that cities really are diverse not only ethnically, but personality-wise. I regularly see men and women singing along to their headphones, whispering to themselves and taking on other strange habits, and remember how transit exposes you to every type of person in a large city.