Being an author is like being in charge of your own personal insane asylum.

- Graycie Harmon

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Best Bus Driver

On my way home from viewing Sucker Punch with my Dad on Sunday, we had the best bus driver I've ever had. He was polite, for a start.

[Insert rant about OC Transpo's surly, impolite, mean drivers here]

Sometimes I think that the bus drivers forget that they're in the service industry. Anyway, this particular bus driver was cheerful and polite. He greeted me with a smile and a, "How are you?"

To which I replied, "I am well, and you?"

"All the better for having seen you," said he.

Awww.... soppy chat up line. Nevertheless, it put a smile on my face. He then said to the gentleman behind me, "Write that down. It's a good line."

I burst out laughing and went to sit by Dad. As the bus pulled away from the station, the driver made an announcement:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please be advised that it is Sunday, April 10th. That means the OC Transpo ticket inspectors are out and about. They will be boarding this bus at the next stop. If you haven't yet come forward for your transfer, do not hesitate to come up now. Again, the ticket inspectors will be boarding at our next stop. Please come forward for your transfer. Thank-you."

Point of interest, ticket inspectors on OC Transpo wear uniforms that include a stab vest, and deal out heavy fines ($150.00 or so).

At which point, everyone who had sneaked onto the bus without paying (you idiots) came forward to pay and get their transfers (which is proof of payment). Dad and I giggled to each other that the driver was probably lying just to get the free-loaders to pay. I admit, I got out my transfer just in case.

As the bus pulled away from the station in question, with no ticket inspectors in sight, the driver made this announcement:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot tell you how much fun I have making that fake announcement."

I clapped and laughed.

That was by far the best bus ride home; ever.

As for my writing, well, thanks to a computer slower than a sun dial, it took me all day to write my 3 000 word quota. I mean all day. I didn't finish until 4:00pm. That's a long day writing, and by the end of it, I was fried. My brain wouldn't work, and I was ready to sleep. The walk home in the gale-force winds did help wake me up, if only because I was concentrating so hard on not flying away with each gust.

Today, hopefully, the quota will come a little more quickly. Speaking of, I should get on that. So, here's today's Forgotten English.

Thumb-Bucka

A thick slice of bread on which better is spread with the thumb.
- Sidney Addey's Glossary of Words Used in Sheffield, 1888

Right, I'm off. Have a great Tuesday all!

2 comments:

Pam Asberry said...

This story brought a smile to my face. It's funny; your bus driver didn't have to work any harder to make your trip more pleasant. He just had to project the right attitude. Matter of fact, his positive attitude probably makes his burden lighter on a daily basis. There's a great lesson there. Thank you for sharing your experience. And congrats on the writing; 3000 words is a huge accomplishment!

S.M. Carrière said...

Thanks, Pam.

It's very true that many bus drivers create a bad atmosphere with a bad attitude. I'm sure they'd find that with a small attitude shift, their work place would be much better. Of course, they don't usually make that sort of connection and can be some of the rudest, most obnoxious people I've ever had to pay!