You don’t pull up to a port in a train, you pull up to a station. Stationboard doesnt work as well and wont be widely known.
Announcements on the train should refer to "port / starboard side" instead of "left / right in the direction of travel", when pointing to the exits.
Submitted 3 weeks ago by Asinus@feddit.org to showerthoughts@lemmy.world
Comments
Goretantath@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
I mean it’s not like ships pull up tu a start, unless they are spaceships that is.
skeezix@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
It can be simply starboard and larboard.
Asinus@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
True. That’s a flaw with the english words.
Yet the exit would always be on the stationboard side (left or right). So you would never know which side of the train to exit.
lolcatnip@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
I suspect most people think port and starboard are just synonyms for left and right. I did for a very long time. And you also have to consider non-native speakers who might not know the nautical terms at all.
The trains where I live say “on my right” and “on my left”. It sounds a little weird hearing an automated voice speaking in the first person, but it’s concise and gets the message across to people who won’t know nautical terms.
sanderium@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
I’m an enthusiast sailor and this is a terrible idea.
FRYD@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Where I’m from, nothing announces the exits. There’s just a pair of doors opposite each other and you go out whatever one opens. I’ve never even thought about it before. Is there a reason it needs to be clarified on your trains?
Asinus@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
I’m not sure. It has always been done like this here.
I think it’s just a convenience thing. Might be useful in crowded trains, so people know which doors they should not stand in front of.
slippyferret@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
It’s super important in Japan where jam packed trains are common during rush hours. They typically announce in Japanese and English, and may even have a visual displayed.
Wrufieotnak@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
In my city people often stand with bikes out strollers in the door area. Out sometimes it’s just really packed. When the opening side is announced, those that stand in the way can already make way (if they are considerate to their fellows) or know that they can relax and don’t need to move.
vatlark@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
My favorite mnemonic: “We have some red port left”
Asinus@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Thats s good one. Do you have horizontal traffic lights, or what is the connection to the red light?
vatlark@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Good point, the lights on a boat or airplane (probably not a train) are red on the left and green on the right. Not sure how international that is.
Airowird@lemm.ee 3 weeks ago
Think it’s referring to the red & green wing lights on planes
nesc@lemmy.cafe 3 weeks ago
That’s not a terminology that most people understand, and would only confuse everyone more, matey. 🏴☠️