Types of travellers aboard Indian Railways

Indian Railways, one of the largest employers in the world provides service to one and all. Each one of you reading this blog would have used the services of Indian Railways at some point in your life. Travelling in the AC III tier coaches while traversing the length and breadth of the country is a wonderful experience. One meets wonderful individuals and families. As the son of an officer from the Indian Air Force, we got posted to obscure place on the Indian map. Summer vacation to Chennai and Coimbatore from Jorhat involved changing two trains and 3 days of travel. I observed many people during these long journeys and continue it to this day with regular travelling in my current job. I have classified certain section of passengers. I'm sure you would have met the following people at least once during your train rides.


Joint Family

At least 6 people and will certainly include the following - Bald headed father, mother with a humongous back, son, his wife and a cranky toddler with runny nose who keeps running along the length of the coach and his sister. They would have packed all their three meals. The kid starts crying post 10 pm everyday and the whole family earns the wrath of the co-passengers. The sister would be a pretty lady and eye candy for the men in the coach.


A Lone Wannabe Guy with a Laptop and Small suitcase

Would be wearing oversized Woodlands shoes, Reebok T-shirt and addidas trackpants ( Yes, they are fake and hence addidas ). Changes his berth as soon as he boards the train since the fat old aunty can't climb the upper berth. He would again have to change his berth because some family wants him to adjust. Invariably gets transffered to another coach and settles into a side upper berth. Mans the electricity socket as though his life depended on it. Watches movies on laptop while he munches his kurkure and would sleep when the laptop is switched off.


Ticketless Dude

He gets into the train and parks himself on a seat. Places his bag on the upper berth. Mind you, he doesn't have a ticket - Not even RAC or a wait listed ticket. Arms himself with a INR 100 note and is on the prowl looking out for the TTE. At night, he opens his bag and goes out near the bathroom to have a swig of Old Monk. Lo behold !! RPF busts his ass. He has to shell out 300 bucks now and the cops take away his bottle. Gets a berth at the fag end of the train journey.


Lone Woman

A bespectacled spinster in her early 20's. Acts like a stuck-up snobbish virago. Adjusts her kurta and dupatta every 30 seconds. She believes that every guy in the coach is a hardcore lecher whose prime objective is to get into her panties. She takes her handbag every time she goes to the loo. To avoid eye contact and conversation, she keeps looking out of the window, even if it is 9 PM.


Old Fat Uncle

A big pot-bellied man in his late 50's or early 60's. He is HUGE. His palms would be the size of a quarter plate. Snores like a foghorn. He would eat anything and everything that every vendor has to offer. After this, he lets out a huge burp and the whole coach would know the menu.