Comments on: I Hear That Train A Comin … http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/ The MBA Graduate Program at Cal Poly Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:46:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Andria Greenlee http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5244 Andria Greenlee Fri, 30 May 2008 17:31:48 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5244 Two words came to mind as I watched this video: "Panic Attack". But this is a really interesting way to compare Chinese ideology as a "group" rather than an "individual". If someone came up behind me while I was boarding the subway and started pushing me like that I would probably turn around and spray them with pepper spray. Obviously the Chinese train patrons see this as "part of the drill" much like Americans see traffic jams as part of their commute to work. Big difference is Americans are separated from one another in their big SUVs while the Chinese are painfully crammed together. This is just one of the huge cultural differences between East and West daily routines that I am excited to experience. Two words came to mind as I watched this video: “Panic Attack”. But this is a really interesting way to compare Chinese ideology as a “group” rather than an “individual”. If someone came up behind me while I was boarding the subway and started pushing me like that I would probably turn around and spray them with pepper spray. Obviously the Chinese train patrons see this as “part of the drill” much like Americans see traffic jams as part of their commute to work. Big difference is Americans are separated from one another in their big SUVs while the Chinese are painfully crammed together. This is just one of the huge cultural differences between East and West daily routines that I am excited to experience.

]]> By: Deanna Haskell http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5161 Deanna Haskell Sat, 17 May 2008 03:49:36 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5161 This video was rather surprising in some ways but not in others. I must say that I have never seen people literally be pushed into a train but I have seen people shove people to get on a train before. The interesting part was that they pushed as a group rather than in a competitive manor. It seemed as if they all wanted everyone to get to where they were going. In the U.S. it would not be surprising for someone to push their way onto a train , take the last seat, and laugh as they saw someone left on the platform. This video was rather surprising in some ways but not in others. I must say that I have never seen people literally be pushed into a train but I have seen people shove people to get on a train before. The interesting part was that they pushed as a group rather than in a competitive manor. It seemed as if they all wanted everyone to get to where they were going. In the U.S. it would not be surprising for someone to push their way onto a train , take the last seat, and laugh as they saw someone left on the platform.

]]> By: Andrew Steen http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5149 Andrew Steen Mon, 12 May 2008 04:22:28 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5149 It's funny this video was posted now, because a few months ago my roommate was seriously considering moving to China in response to an advertisement seeking "people pushers." He even sent his resume to a few places, but I don't think he's heard back yet. On another note, I'm not sure how I would react to someone shoving me around after a long day at work. It's nice to have some space to myself sometimes. But, when in Rome... It’s funny this video was posted now, because a few months ago my roommate was seriously considering moving to China in response to an advertisement seeking “people pushers.” He even sent his resume to a few places, but I don’t think he’s heard back yet.
On another note, I’m not sure how I would react to someone shoving me around after a long day at work. It’s nice to have some space to myself sometimes. But, when in Rome…

]]> By: Chris Carr http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5147 Chris Carr Mon, 12 May 2008 03:34:58 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5147 Not sure about the Japan thing. Two of my Chinese friends swear this is a train in China. But even if not .... Simeon's statement rings true, although I have been on the subway in Shanghai where the car was just as, if not more, full than the train in this video. Have also been on a passenger train going into Guangzhou that was just like the one you see in this video. I imagine when it really gets crazy and even more crowded is during the during Chinese New Year, where over 150 (200?? 250??) million people go home from the eastern cities to see their families for a week or two. That was the real tragedy of the outlier winter storms in China a few months ago ... that was the one shot for many of these migrant workers to get back home to see their families during their once a year visit, yet many trains were a no-go due to the snow so they did not make it back. Not sure about the Japan thing. Two of my Chinese friends swear this is a train in China. But even if not ….

Simeon’s statement rings true, although I have been on the subway in Shanghai where the car was just as, if not more, full than the train in this video. Have also been on a passenger train going into Guangzhou that was just like the one you see in this video.

I imagine when it really gets crazy and even more crowded is during the during Chinese New Year, where over 150 (200?? 250??) million people go home from the eastern cities to see their families for a week or two. That was the real tragedy of the outlier winter storms in China a few months ago … that was the one shot for many of these migrant workers to get back home to see their families during their once a year visit, yet many trains were a no-go due to the snow so they did not make it back.

]]> By: Brandi Eng-Rohrbach http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5144 Brandi Eng-Rohrbach Sun, 11 May 2008 05:39:02 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5144 Another good train video that ties into this conversation is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYXU9BOw4xM&feature=related" rel="nofollow">found here</a>. While this video is from Thailand, it could be a metaphor as well. In this case, capitalism is the train. Despite the train, the free market still reigns and thrives. Sometimes though the market has to be creative to make way for the train. Another good train video that ties into this conversation is found here. While this video is from Thailand, it could be a metaphor as well. In this case, capitalism is the train. Despite the train, the free market still reigns and thrives. Sometimes though the market has to be creative to make way for the train.

]]> By: Brandi Eng-Rohrbach http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5142 Brandi Eng-Rohrbach Sun, 11 May 2008 05:33:43 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5142 I must say Chinese planes aren't much better than Japanese trains. When I was in China there is no boarding zones or process. They just call a plane and everyone runs up and boards as quickly as they can. However, people do sit in assigned seats even if they don't respect the carry-on restrictions. I must say Chinese planes aren’t much better than Japanese trains. When I was in China there is no boarding zones or process. They just call a plane and everyone runs up and boards as quickly as they can. However, people do sit in assigned seats even if they don’t respect the carry-on restrictions.

]]> By: Simeon Trieu http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5139 Simeon Trieu Sat, 10 May 2008 21:49:01 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5139 This video is of a Japanese train, not a Chinese train. The train conductor is speaking Japanese. The situation in China is a little different. The trains aren't as crowded as the ones in Japan, however, you still do have to run and rush to get your seat... and the occasional shove and push. It's quite a different experience from the reserved seats we have in the US. This video is of a Japanese train, not a Chinese train. The train conductor is speaking Japanese.

The situation in China is a little different. The trains aren’t as crowded as the ones in Japan, however, you still do have to run and rush to get your seat… and the occasional shove and push. It’s quite a different experience from the reserved seats we have in the US.

]]> By: Rob Belloni http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5137 Rob Belloni Fri, 09 May 2008 04:51:54 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5137 As a business person - I see a market for Dial soap. Or perhaps a low grade cattle prod (you could call it "The Train Filler"). Kidding aside, wow! I'm a person with a strong sense of personal space. I don't get irritated when someone stands too close behind me in line at the grocery store. The good thing is, clips like this will set my mind appropriately before the trip. If people want to push and shove, I'll be ready to take it in stride. It's their country, not mine. It is very strange to my mind to see how the Chinese seem to work as symbiotes though. I wonder how those interactions vary between the more capitalistic coastal cities vs. the more rural interior. I also wonder how these behaviors will change as Chinese acquire more tools of autonomy like cars and luxury apartments. An enterprising business person in China might think to offer another car on the train where you don't get pushed and shoved in like sardines. I wonder how many yuan that would be worth, or if anyone would be willing to pay yet? As a business person - I see a market for Dial soap. Or perhaps a low grade cattle prod (you could call it “The Train Filler”).

Kidding aside, wow! I’m a person with a strong sense of personal space. I don’t get irritated when someone stands too close behind me in line at the grocery store.

The good thing is, clips like this will set my mind appropriately before the trip. If people want to push and shove, I’ll be ready to take it in stride. It’s their country, not mine.

It is very strange to my mind to see how the Chinese seem to work as symbiotes though. I wonder how those interactions vary between the more capitalistic coastal cities vs. the more rural interior. I also wonder how these behaviors will change as Chinese acquire more tools of autonomy like cars and luxury apartments.

An enterprising business person in China might think to offer another car on the train where you don’t get pushed and shoved in like sardines. I wonder how many yuan that would be worth, or if anyone would be willing to pay yet?

]]> By: David Zarcone http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5135 David Zarcone Fri, 09 May 2008 04:32:09 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5135 I have to agree with both these comments. First of all, here in the states this scenario would never happen. If someone was behind me shoving and pushing I would simply wait for the next train, however these guys are probably used to it and accept it as a common occurrence. I'm not too sure that this video is actually Chinese since many of the comments refer to it as being in Japan during rush hour, but still, it is definitely an eye-opener to the type of atmosphere we will be soon visiting. In the past I've always been annoyed when our trains were packed, and by packed I mean there was no open seat... I will think twice before complaining about that again. I just wonder what would happen if one of the doors malfunctioned and opened during the ride, I mean they were packed wall to wall and floor to ceiling. Also, how does someone in the center get off at the right stop.. just shove his/her way back out. I have to agree with both these comments. First of all, here in the states this scenario would never happen. If someone was behind me shoving and pushing I would simply wait for the next train, however these guys are probably used to it and accept it as a common occurrence. I’m not too sure that this video is actually Chinese since many of the comments refer to it as being in Japan during rush hour, but still, it is definitely an eye-opener to the type of atmosphere we will be soon visiting. In the past I’ve always been annoyed when our trains were packed, and by packed I mean there was no open seat… I will think twice before complaining about that again.

I just wonder what would happen if one of the doors malfunctioned and opened during the ride, I mean they were packed wall to wall and floor to ceiling.

Also, how does someone in the center get off at the right stop.. just shove his/her way back out.

]]> By: Darold Parsons http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5130 Darold Parsons Thu, 08 May 2008 22:53:17 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/i-hear-that-train-a-comin/#comment-5130 That video was amazing. I never really understood what no lines would entail. Guess I know now. I have to say though I disagree that this shows promotion of the group over the individual. Everyone in the video wanted to just get into the train. They rushed to be first. They did not seem to care about the person after them. It is a different lifestyle completely and although I agree that if someone was pushing an American like that they would cuss and yell, I have also seen Americans wait for the next train to let elders or families on before them. I am very excited to get to see the way things work in China first hand. That video was amazing. I never really understood what no lines would entail. Guess I know now. I have to say though I disagree that this shows promotion of the group over the individual. Everyone in the video wanted to just get into the train. They rushed to be first. They did not seem to care about the person after them. It is a different lifestyle completely and although I agree that if someone was pushing an American like that they would cuss and yell, I have also seen Americans wait for the next train to let elders or families on before them.
I am very excited to get to see the way things work in China first hand.

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