A few days back I wrote about mind the gap announcements on the London tube. Then I got a mail from Steve of Gonomad sending me a link to this news-
The woman behind the gentle, even voice which warns London’s subway commuters to “Mind the gap” was fired after telling a newspaper she thought the transit network was dreadful.Emma Clarke has been recording messages for London’s sprawling subway network, popularly known as the Tube, since 1999. In addition to warning passengers to watch their step in walking between subway cars and the platform, she also reads the trains’ stops, tells Londoners how long they have to wait until their next ride, and delivers service updates.
Emma Clarke clarified at the BBC-
“What I actually said was that travelling in a Tube train would be dreadful for me, listening to my own voice and seeing the haunted faces of commuters being subjected to me telling them to ‘mind the gap’.
“I would find it quite an uncomfortable experience in the same way that when I call a company when I’m their on hold voice and it’s me saying – please press 2 for accounts – it’s a creepy experience to be honest.”
I think she’s right.
Apparently she also posted spoof announcements on her blog, saying things like “if you are American, you are almost certainly talking too loudly”.
Sidhu, I am sure it must be spooky to hear your own voice on the Tube.Qaminante, I too read about it.