Paris always crowded at all hours. Once I stood in line for 10 minutes to buy a ticket to the machines, one of the few times that I have not seen touts. There are barriers to entry, uncomfortable for backpacks and suitcases, maybe effective to prevent passengers without tickets. Plexiglas barriers were also installed between the platform and train, the doors, near the train doors, which open only when it has stopped. The network is extensive, efficient, it is easy to see in which direction to go and what to take to change line corridors. There are many people who play on the train asking for a penny, or sit on the boxes in the stations asking for alms.
Berlin: the trains are crowded, there are almost always seats. The people are peaceful, law, bike rack and strollers on the subway. There are no barriers to entry, the ticket is made to the machine on the track. The controllers in civilian passengers traveling as normal, but at some point ask to see tickets. Many features are not underground. It is not always easy to see where to go to catch the train to a single station a firm line under the ground, the other above, but is not reported as a switch between them. The main station is huge and shiny but I saw it almost empty. Three people were playing at a station and it seemed an event: there was a knot of people around. I met some drunk with a beer bottle in his hand.
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