So, I started grad school, or at least I started a preliminary class. I have been driving in to my new neighborhood, where I will be living and parking at that house, then taking the bus in to the city… (Thus, saving about 40 bucks in parking alone, not to mention gas!!) I have enjoyed taking the bus, I must say… it makes me feel more connected to life here. I have a few things to learn, however…
I got yelled at by a lady a few days ago when I tried to board the bus and she was still getting off… It was a huge opening, and we both would have fit… But, I obviously did not know the bus etiquette to allow people to fully disembark before embarking!!! Seems like common sense, but I just wasn’t thinking, I s’pose. She was fully right, however… I was in the wrong!!
To top it off, after she yelled at me and I eventually got on the bus… I went to put my buck seventy-five in the slot and the bus driver put his hand over the slot and said, “Pay when you leave.”… Yet another rule… I’ll get the hang of it, eventually!!
Good stuff. Glad I’m taking the bus. Glad the lady yelled at me, and that I had to sit in embarrassment, with no real escape… it was good for me. I am better for it… much more aware of bus etiquette, and those around me.
Crystal Santos 6:53 am on September 24, 2008 Permalink |
Oh, I totally get you. You’ll have it down after a few weeks. People are really particular about their bus rules and you’ll eventually find that “regular” crowds at different bus stops develop their own type of culture that you’ll have to learn. I enjoy the bus too. I feel like it’s cable tv live! It’s always entertaining. I’m happy to hear you are enjoying it too.
Angie 6:54 pm on November 10, 2008 Permalink |
Your little tale made me laugh. I’ve never had the guts to ride the bus for those reasons! I don’t know how to do it! But you’ve made the mistakes for me now…! Thanks! If only the bus went to Salem, I’d do it everyday!
Angie
Cyndee 11:48 pm on November 13, 2008 Permalink |
Ha! Yesterday I was on the bus and I took out my banana and started eating it… a few minutes later, I heard the driver say over the loud speaker…”Please keep your food covered”… Then he looked straight at me and said, “No eating on the bus, ma’am.” All I could do was apologize and I said I was sorry but I didn’t know… Oh how we learn the hard way… Oh well!!! I won’t be eating on the bus again!!!
Ronin 9:09 pm on November 16, 2008 Permalink |
i stayed in wa for a while last year, in renton as well as kent. went to seattle more than a few times. took the bus A LOT.
for starters, the traffic system there and here (singapore) are so different. took me a while to get used to.
generally, i like the bus system there better.
- bicycle rack at the front
- buy a card for the whole month and swipe away whenever you take a bus. add $1 for the airconditioned buses.
- you pay lesser for your next bus when you make a transfer
- when the cash-eating machine is faulty, everyone rides for free
- some bus drivers announce the stops (helps when you’re new)
- people actually observe the let-people-out-first-before-you-get-in (unlike here)
- strangers talk with one another on the bus or the bus stop