So yesterday I was on the #1 bus, sometime shortly after 4pm. Around Dalhousie University, a young “lady” got on, having a loud cellphone conversation. Now, I’m not one of those who bemoans the downfall of civilization whenever somebody uses a phone on the bus, nor do I clutch my pearls when somebody says “Oh goshdarnit” in my presence. But a public transit bus with a captive audience is NOT the time or the place to hold a loud cellphone chat broadcasting your latest drunken antics, while using F-bombs and other swears the way kids put sugar on breakfast cereal.
I know I wasn’t the only one who felt this way, because the bus driver told that lady (who was sitting right behind him) to cool it with the swears, or she was going to have to leave the bus. She managed to hold off on the cusses for a few blocks, until we got to Spring Garden Road and Queen Street. Then she started with the F-bombs again, This time the driver told her where to get off. Literally. She did so, cussing all the way, threatening to report him. It was then that I called up to him, saying I would gladly be a witness on his behalf if she tried to do such a thing. Around me, I could tell other passengers were relieved that the situation had been dealt with.
I just want to say major kudos to that driver, for enforcing common courtesy and civilized behaviour on his bus, making public transit a better place for everyone else. —Amanita
This article appears in May 24-30, 2012.
Bloody good for him and good for you for having his back.
*Sounds to me like you’re not a deadly poisonous mushroom at all. >; )
Would that this would happen more often. Perhaps more people would ‘lighten up’ on their salty conversations, on phones or not, on buses. Sure most of us do it at times, but constant swearing around a captive audience is not cool at all.
Good for you OP letting the driver know of your support.