CTA before the iPod... (Chicago, Cambridge: buses, bars, trains)

[Jzer21]

I was riding the brown line into work this morning and noticed that at least 70% of the people on board were in their own little world with their little white headphones dangling from their ears. I couldn't help but wonder if riding the trains and buses before the advent of the iPod/iPhone/Blackberry/Kindle was a different experience or generally the same as it is now. Did passengers actually speak to one another in ye olden days? Was it a more social experience?

[PokerPlayer1]

No. They read books and newspapers.

[Attrill]

Don't forget about ye olde Walkman.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Jzer21

I was riding the brown line into work this morning and noticed that at least 70% of the people on board were in their own little world with their little white headphones dangling from their ears. I couldn't help but wonder if riding the trains and buses before the advent of the iPod/iPhone/Blackberry/Kindle was a different experience or generally the same as it is now. Did passengers actually speak to one another in ye olden days? Was it a more social experience?

It was more difficult to ignore the winos and crazies, yes.

[cubssoxfan]

If you can't hear what's going on must make pick pockets life much easier.

[Lookout Kid]

The iPod has only been around for a few years, so it shouldn't be that difficult to imagine... I remember a lot of people with Discman-type CD players. But they were definitely more rare than the iPod. I still refuse to wear headphones on public transit, and either look around or read a newspaper or magazine.

[HowGoesIt]

I can't comment on the CTA, but I'm sure it's similar to the MBTA (Boston subway). Before the iPod invasion, people use to small talk a lot more than they do now. Sure, there were a lot of people who just kept to themselves, but I use to meet a ton of people riding the green line and orange line at night after the bars. It was more of an 'experience' back then.

[Lookout Kid]

I remember the 151 being called the "Love Bus" because it had a reputation as a place to meet members of the opposite sex.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

The iPod has only been around for a few years, so it shouldn't be that difficult to imagine... I remember a lot of people with Discman-type CD players. But they were definitely more rare than the iPod. I still refuse to wear headphones on public transit, and either look around or read a newspaper or magazine.

I feel much the same way..

In Boston, the Red Line ( from/into Cambridge) was always quiet, with quite a bit of reading going on, but now it's become I-Pod Central...I noticed a similar trend ( but not quite as much) on the Blue Line ( O'Hare) in Chicago, heading downtown...

[Montclare]

IPods are definitely a good way to try and make people not talk to you. Doesn't always work though. Even with headphones on, I still had a woman come up to me and ask if I thought she should get a hysterectomy.