Mumbai local: Folks here have heightened sensory awareness. I can't stare at anyone more than few seconds. You can say in my train career, I have never given so much eye contact in such a short amount of time. I ended up wondering if I looked like a pickpocketeer.
Mumbai local: A lesson in assertiveness training. See unlike other cities, where you stand near a seated group and hope they will leave the seat soon or eavesdrop conversations, read nonverbal cues and pace the space like a tennis player anticipating the ball, here you pointedly ask and make seat deals. And not enough to announce your intentions. You ask each passenger "Thane, Ghatkopar?" and then seal the seat.
The nice part is when you get a seat you get to make seat deals. A deal is a deal -- you better remember the woman you promised your seat to.
In btw, I managed my first share auto ride in Mumbai. I sat next to a woman with a dozen bracelets and a statement necklace. I was seated in a crooked angle so couldn't look at her face. I need to upskill for Mumbai.
