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On the train between Basel and Zurich

21.9.2018

Translation: machine translated

It's 6.47am and the train is leaving. I've managed to get myself a window seat. I'm just going through my emails when the sliding door opens noisily and a stressed-out person rushes into the carriage to cross it. She makes her way down the middle aisle, followed by one of those little suitcases on wheels that makes a hell of a racket.

Then the stressed-out person with the suitcase drops onto the seat opposite me, not without stomping on my brand new trainers. Thank you. Is she apologising? Certainly not. Did she ask if the seat opposite me was free? Think so. A little "hello"? Keep dreaming.

I count to three - meanwhile performing martial arts moves in front of my third eye - and refocus on my emails. There's at least one 'I'm-on-the-last-minute-and-I'm-hustling-everyone' per carriage, as well as an 'I'm-so-important-I'm-always-must-show-everyone-I'm-on-the-phone'. But the different types of commuter are a subject of their own.

Withdrawing in spite of yourself

In my case, at work. Checking emails, confirming meetings, reading protocols, that sort of thing. But you could also describe it with the three monkeys: see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing. All I need is my laptop, my smartphone and my headphones. The equipment is carefully packed into a rucksack. Ready for total isolation. I've optimised it over the last few months and now I'm emerging largely unscathed from the daily battle of the commuters. Fire up the notebook, put on the headphones and the music - see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing.

I have noticed a change recently though. I'm getting on the train at the last minute more and more often. After all, who wants to waste time by already being seated a few minutes before departure? I'm also increasingly stressed and in a bad mood. I'm a commuter, so I feel I have the right not to be at my best sometimes. More and more often, I sit down opposite someone without saying a word and start working. It's true, I'm not here to make friends.

Looking forward

It's a shame, because we're all in the same boat, or rather on the same train. Why don't I finally ask the bearded man three seats behind me how he gets such a great beard? After all, we've been taking the train to Zurich together every morning for six months now, and I've been wondering for a long time. Or ask the woman sitting diagonally across from me the plot of the book she reads every morning? And why not tell the grumpy man opposite that his shirt really does fit him? Who knows, maybe a brief smile will appear on his lips...

Attack instead of defence. Looking, talking, listening. Maybe I'll be surprised by some positive encounters. If anything, I'm surrounded by friends, not enemies. Tomorrow at 6.47am, I'll give it a try. Perhaps with a book with a provocative title, a board game or even a simple invitation for a coffee.

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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On the train between Basel and Zurich

Withdrawing in spite of yourself

Looking forward

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