[hezaa82]

I used the word road rage but actually I'm talking about public transport. I live and work in Tokyo and I have to take the trains during rush hour and also transfer at Shinjuku station which is the busiest station in the world

Packed trains are uncomfortable but what really gets me is trying to walk through the crowds of people to get to the other side of the station. Or fighting the crowds when I'm leaving my local station on the way home. I think it's the feeling of being controlled that gets me - wanting to walk at my own pace but not being able to get past all the people. I have no problem pushing past people or cutting them off (Japanese salarymen do it too!) People being in my way really stresses me out and makes me passive aggressive.

I understand that crowded conditions will stress out even normal people, but I wonder if it's in anyway magnified by my condition. I'm not sure the best way to describe my challenges, but basically I'm an adult child of a dysfunctional family, codependent, low self-esteem, general unhappiness with life. Maybe it's my adult child challenges - low tolerance for frustration, self-centeredness, lack of compassion from others?

I used to have a car but I never got road rage in a car. I heard somewhere it depends on how much you see the car as an extension of yourself. I'm not really into cars so I guess I didn't take car road rage personally, but walking it really gets to me.

[Leed]

I think I understand. I may not know exactly what you're talking about, but I live in a small village. I occasionally have to go to a large city to shop. People there seem not to care about being polite or accommodating others in aisles in stores, etc. They'll take up a whole aisle and not bother to move at all when someone else is trying to get down the same aisle. Or if it's really busy, some people just push you out of the way! I have NO patience for that.

Now I know this is petty compared to what YOU'RE going thru, but it's somewhat related. I don't think I could live in a very densely populated city like Tokyo! It would drive me insane. From what you say, I think you're handling things quite well!

I do know what you must feel inside tho -- it builds up in your mind until you want to scream! Or you want to grab someone and throttle them.

I wish you the very best! Take deep breaths -- people aren't going to change, that's for sure. The only thing you can do is try to calm yourself and that's not easy under the circumstances. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

sorry you have to go through this.

exactly why i don't use the london underground

[Thunder Bow]

I am a fast walker with long legs. I am physicaly fit. Most walk slower than I and seem to waddle. You must be in good shape. I try to step around the slow ones best I can. In Japan that must be impossible in a crowded station. Just understand those slow ones probably feel worse than you.

[layla11]

I have kinda the same issue in a way, when I walk into my job you have to walk down this long overpass to get to doors to get in. I hate it. I feel very uncomfortable and cant stand the elevator, I will park on the fifth floor so I dont have to get in the elevator with other people. On the other hand it doesn't bother me quite as much to leave down the overpass. I wonder myself about this. I don't think you are selfcentered at all. It might be fear. Fear of not knowing if or when someone is going to be rude, and alot of people don't like crowds. Crowds seen very cold to me.

[LadyShadow]

I live in NYC so I know exactly what you're going through! I used to take the train every morning to Grand Central Station in Manhattan and that was a complete madhouse. I don't know if this would help, but I used to position myself in the train where I would be least affected by crowds. Like stand up near the door near the front of the train so the stairs to the street would be right near me on the platform when I exited the train. That way I did not get lost in the crowds. That seemed to work for me.