You will recognize these irritations if you often travel by public transport

Every day I travel by public transport and every time I get incredibly annoyed: trains that are canceled, the crowd at eight in the morning, and smelly people who forget to shower. We all know it well, but there are a few things that really make my hair stand on end and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Smelly food
Let me get straight to the point: people next to you devouring a full three-course dinner. With my misophonia, you really won't make me happy with that. Recently, I was in an overcrowded train (surprise) where the lady next to me started eating a whole bowl of noodles. Everyone noticed because the smell was everywhere. You won't hear me if you quickly eat a cookie, but a whole meal is a bit much for me. At the next station, I moved to another carriage. Bye.

Socially incapable
My social anxiety and morning mood are a devilish combo: when I step onto the bus at a quarter to seven in the morning, I really hope I don't run into anyone I know. As soon as I’ve checked in with my chip card, I walk through that bus with tunnel vision to find a spot all the way at the back. Now that I’m typing this, it actually sounds incredibly antisocial, because even when I see acquaintances, I often pretend I don’t see them, but that’s really for their own good. I still need to recharge in the morning.

Transfer anxiety
A no-brainer: missing your transfer. This is mega annoying every single time. Am I the only one who gets incredibly stressed about this? The control freak in me can't handle it at all. Which trains are still running? Which platform do I need to be on? Do I have the right one? Will I make it on time? I drive myself completely crazy because being late is really a no-go for me. I now also know that NS voice out of thousands: ‘Dear travelers, the intercity to ... will depart in a few minutes.’ When you’re at a station like Rotterdam Central, this is the only thing you hear continuously. Every time that announcement comes, I’m terrified it’s about my train that’s delayed.

Dramatic wifi
Has the wifi ever worked for you guys on the train? It has never worked for me. All my mobile data is gone after a week of back and forth traveling. And then also not being able to find a power outlet anywhere. Look, if you're on a Sprinter, you have that, but on a train? Forget it. I once had to travel for two hours with five percent battery. That journey took an eternity, I can tell you.

Dirty little men
Finally, we have the nightmare of every woman: sitting alone in the evening with men who catcall you. I find this so terrible and all those horror stories you see lately certainly don't make it any better. So always make sure you never travel back alone late at night because you never know.