How a Woman Can Avoid Harassment on Atlanta's MARTA Transit System

There is an entire subculture involved in utilizing public transportation. Ironically, while for some people public transit is the best invention in the world, for others, having to use the system is practically unbearable. Women in particular seem to have it a bit rougher than men do where it regards using public transportation. This is because in many instances, it seems easier to violate the personal space of a woman than it is a man. Some may disagree over this little tidbit. But where Atlanta's MARTA system is concerned, this appears to most certainly be the case.

Buses and trains are veritable fish bowls of sorts. You're crammed into a strict square footage, but are not guaranteed any specific amount of space. It is ultimately up to the vehicles' passengers to respect the personal boundaries of others, so as to ensure a reasonably pleasant commute. Regrettably, it is this petite amount of space that actually prompts some people to use the poorest etiquette possible. Keeping this in mind, there are definitely some things that you can do to minimize your very presence on public transportation. Sure, people will still know that you're there. But by following some simple tips, invading your precious "territorial bubble" will be just that much harder for others to do...

The Window Seat

Depending upon your travel schedule, the window seat can be either a blessing or a curse. This coveted seat can provide the perfect "shield" from pesty MARTA passengers. But there are some general pros and cons. If you happen to see an empty pair of seats and snag the one next to the window---you're in luck if you happen to have a fairly long commute. This means that in addition to having something else onto which to divert your attention (when you're above ground, of course), you also have a comfy place to rest your head for a brief snooze. The only caveat to sitting in the window seat, is being "pinned" in by someone who doesn't realize his/her size, smell, and/or the amount of baggage they happen to be lugging along. This leads me to the next pitfall of riding on Atlanta's public transportation.

"Human Seating"

If you find yourself in this position, you'd better take a few precautions...

Credit: Nathan Grey

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