Subways and Sardines

It's impossible to ride on a subway train during rush hour without thinking about sardines.

In a sardine can, the sardines are aligned in straight little rows. And the sardines touch one another.

In the subway, however, no matter how crowded it gets, there's almost no touching. There's always a little space -- some air -- between you and the next person. (Sometimes the air doesn't smell so go, but there's always some air.)

At these times, the people on the subways are very quiet. They don't speak to each other. They don't make eye contact. They just stand quietly, not touching and trying not to touch as the subway train rocks from side to side or slows or accelerates quickly.

I've noticed that the sardines in the can are quiet, too. And they don't make eye contact with one another, either.

All in all I think I'd rather be on the subway.