People Watching: Bus Mannerisms

While riding the bus to and from the campus everyday, I have a habit of watching people. It only took a few rides to learn about the proper manners that one should have while riding the bus. These unspoken rules change dramatically depending on how full the bus is at a given time, and depending on what type of rider you are.

When one is riding on an empty bus, it is polite to sit as far away from other people as possible. Sitting down next to someone and introducing yourself is a big no-no. People will think you are a rapist trying to kill them and you will get strange looks from the other ridershoe however, I must admit, whenever someone sits down next to me and introduces themselves, I get very excited and strike up a conversation. People let you know not to sit by them by simple blocks. Like, for example, setting their bag on the seat next to them. They can move it and you can ask them to move it, but that would mean speaking to them and speaking to people is a no-no. Others will sit on the seat next to the isle, making their physical body the block to the other seat next to them.

The area that you sit in on the bus is greatly influenced by your status as a bus rider. If you are elderly and had difficulty getting on to the bus, you will sit in the first available seat near the door. If you are a nervous first-time newbie to the bus system, you will also sit right next to the door in the front and stare out the front window so you don't miss your stop. (oh the horror!) if you are a newbie but you have a little more experience, you always sit in the very first seat that faces forward on the right hand side. (this prediction never fails). If you are seasoned in bus riding due to economic issues, environmental issues, or other strange ideas you woke up with one morning, you tend to sit in the "belly" of the bus. With your own seat. And your groceries next to you. If you are too cool for anybody else on the bus and you walk in with your headphones blasting rap music for everyone to hear, you always head for the back. You always tend to go for your "favorite seat" on the bus if it's open. And when it is not you inwardly swear at the person who took it.

When the bus starts filling up suddenly, the manners of the bus change from cold and distant to available and uncaring. Bags are suddenly are moved out of the way and people move over to the window to leave room for someone else to sit. Most people still go sit in their usual comfort zones if available, but if they are not, any seat will do.

When the bus becomes crowded there are people standing in the isles and the vow of silence is broken in able to utter apologies for stepping on somebody's foot or for needing to get off at a specific spot and needing the red sea to part for them to be able to. Suddenly, the people who are polite make themselves known and give up their seats to the elderly who are getting on the bus and did not get a seat. Gentlemen will give up their seats to ladies with groceries, children, or a heavy burden. And chatter will start up between people who have never met each other before. Every so often a rude woman will take up two seats and refuse to move over for another person to sit, a nobody will ask her to move because of the polite attitude that one has while riding the bus.

These patterns always happen on the bus and are part of our society in how we are taught in interact with one another. Just like when we are children and told "not to speak to strangers" we still have this irrational fear of our other members of society. Body practice is displayed by how in interact with other members of the culture.