Project Light Rail

I'm a people watcher by nature. They fascinate me. My commute on Denver's Light Rail system provides me with golden observation opportunities 40 minutes per day, 5 days a week.

Quick backstory...growing up, I was always taught to be a gentleman. Hold the doors for people, say please and thank you, generally respect your fellow man. Its something I try to put into practice on a daily basis.

Back to my commute...I never get a seat. I'm too late on the route to get one during rush hour, which is fine. I'm young, the knees are holding up well, I can stand for 20 minutes on my way downtown. Since Im forced to stand near the train doors, I noticed this morning at one of the stops that a few women get on the train and, with hope in their eyes, scan the aisle for some highly valued real estate to plant their rear ends on. Its a pretty standard entrance by my many female riders.

I also see a few seated men and their eyes follow these women as they enter the train. As soon as the women would look in their direction, the men's eyes drop to the floor...as if to suggest to these women that their presence had not yet been detected or isnt of any importance at all. Sneaky. No eye contact, no expectation to give your seat up. Well played, "gentlemen".

Had my grandmother seen me behave that way, I would have been yanked out of my seat, given a slap on the wrist, and banned from that night's Klondike Bar dessert party.

So in the interest of conducting my own scientific social experiment, I will spend this week documenting how many men give up their seats to the ladies. So far 0 for 2. Is chivalry dead in Denver? Will a little bit of joy be brought to ladies in need of a seat this week? Stay tuned...