I take public transportation to work 3 days a week. It's 30-40 minutes of me-time where I get to read, write, knit, or stare aimlessly out the window at the beautiful bay doing nothing if I please. I like my bus line. It's generally on time, I always get a roomy seat to myself and the drivers are courteous and we share general pleasantries like chatting about vacations, the weather and new hairstyles. It's a positive experience in my local community and good for the environment. Who wouldn't want a predictable, quite and civilized break twice a day like this?
So, all of you who are disrupting this busy Mommy's sacred time, you're here by on notice.
You know who you are... First, "Smelly-perfume-hair-product-primping-makeup-lady" take care of your grooming at home. I'm fine with a little dabbing of lip-gloss in public but the bus isn't your bathroom nor should it smell like a salon. I was taught that this behavior was "embarrassing your mother publicly", harsh I know. Second, "Loud-inappropriate-conversation-man" you need to think about what comes out of your mouth before you share it with a bus full of quiet strangers. I know you like to hear yourself talk and you think you know everything but please respect other passenger's mental space too. Some topics I don't want to hear you talk about ever again: how your food allergies affect your digestive system, why your friend is now a convicted sex offender and what you think of the Jews in Israel. Buddy, you make my skin crawl. Thirdly,"Stinky-ashtray-smokers" you of all people should know that you reek and you know that it's poison you reek of. I know your aching for one last breakfast smoke before you climb on that bus for 30 minutes of non-smoking hell but yuck, yuck and more yuck. Please, no one wants to be trapped next to you breathing that in.
Alright, ranting finished. I feel cleansed of the experiences for now... So glad to get that off my chest before the weekend. Above is one of my favorite children's books about riding the bus, Bus Stops by Taro Gomi.
