Photo by my Chandra
On the way to my exercise class by bus yesterday, when I disembarked, the driver unbuckled his seat belt, got up, carried my walker down to the sidewalk and offered me his hand to step down as if I were a very special personage. What did I do to deserve such special treatment? Give him an expensive present? Offer him a mocha-latte? Nothing like that. All I did was make him laugh!
As the first to climb aboard, because those of us waiting were all female, I jokingly told him this was his lucky day since he was so
It’s easy to get him to smile
gorgeous, we lovely women had especially gathered to get on HIS bus. He laughed. The women laughed. Then unexpectedly, a few more females arrived in time to get on too.
‘Oh, look,’ I continued, ‘The word has gotten out already. Throughout the neighborhood they are passing the news around. More beautiful women want to ride with you!’
Merriment ensued
Merriment ensued. Others joined in the fun and the woman sitting in the next seat chatted with me as if I were an old friend. Amazingly, her sister-in-law is in my exercise class! Waddaya know…..
In my neighborhood, people wait politely for buses, but when they see me approaching with my gray hair and walker, they’ll invariably move aside to let me on first. I thank them and climb on to advise the driver they do this not because I’m older but because I’m so beautiful — we all chuckle.
Drivers can have a hard time with some passengers
I take the same buses at the same time each week to regularly attend classes, so some drivers have already become friends. One recently told me he was being transferred to another line and would miss me, but added: ‘I’ll be back in the winter. Look for me.’ I certainly will. He is very thoughtful and kind to me.
some passengers fight their own demons
Bus drivers often have a hard time with passengers who are ill and/or unreasonably difficult. Even I’ve been frightened by some who fight their own demons. I handle it by staring out the window, afraid to even look in their direction. Some can be drunk and argumentative. Our bus drivers are forced to deal with all of it. They deserve a break.
Here’s to the bus drivers of our city whom I find very helpful, considerate and caring. Let’s all treat them well.
View from Over the Hill 
Geez, Mom…Your bus driver IS handsome! Tell him I am coming up there all the way from Reno so that I can get on his bus and see that movie-star smile too!
So sorry Susan: I got that photo off the internet, but some of my drivers really ARE cute. They are all also very kind to me. Love ya, Maughm
I LOVE this! And being a transit-user/bus rider, so much of what you say rings true for me. I just wish there were more passengers like you on the buses, so that we could all have a laugh together, and actually pay attention to each other! I agree…most bus drivers are admirable, and deserve our respect. I appreciate it when a few of them actually wait until I sit down before they pull out from the stop. So thoughtful!
Thanks for reading Val: And for your comment. I agree with you. We’re lucky. Our bus drivers DO deserve our respect. Cheers.
Oh yeah! Your bus drivers are really great! Unfortunately, that does not exist with us.
Thank you Klaudia for reading my blog and your comment. I know you live in Austria where things may be very different. Vancouver is a great city to grow old in and I appreciate how much our bus drivers add to my life. They’re great. Fondly…..
Muriel, your posts are always so interesting and funny ⦠a tre
So glad you enjoy them Lynne: I enjoy writing them. All the best….