17 March 2009

4143

Took the 8:38 AM 66N again today. Yesterday's passenger count bordered on the slim-to-none; but today we enjoyed a full house (bus). Guess lots of folks added Monday to their spring break days. Today belongs to St Patrick but few passengers sported green garments. One woman wearing a green sweater did, however, leave a not-so-Happy-St-Patrick's-Day impression.

She boarded the bus, cellphone mashed against her ear. To her credit, she realized she couldn't put money in the farebox and talk at the same time, so she told the person on the other end of the line (cell?) that she needed to hang up and would call back “in a minute”. Fare paid, she plopped down on the front seat, placing a large purse on her right and a softside lunch bag on her left. An older gentleman already occupied part of the seat and she managed to fill the remains. While not huge seats, 3 people can fit and she, and her paraphernalia, took up space for 2. Once ensconced, she flipped open the cell phone and resumed the conversation. Holding a big coffee mug, she crossed one leg over the other (blocking the aisle), sat back and settled in for a fine chat.

The bus kept stopping, more passengers boarded and the aisle filled. This woman remained oblivious to her surroundings and, even after ending her phone conversation, did nothing to make more room on the seat for anyone currently standing. I understand some people have personal space issues and don't like getting 'too close', but for a short bus ride - give me a break! This age of rude, narcissistic, self-absorbed people gets more and more tiresome. We need Miss Manners!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ah, MF, the rules are for everyone else, not me. I'm a 21st century American. There is no higher priority than what I want, and there is no true belief that doesn't correspond perfectly with mine. It's the rest of you that is the problem.