Had a long talk with a 60-something bus driver about why nobody says thanks anymore

She told me she gets about 3 thank-yous a shift now compared to 30 back in the 90s and it made me realize I've been hopping off without a word for months, so who else just forgot basic manners on their commute?

3 comments

3 Comments

wadeyoung22d ago

3 thank-yous a shift sounds low but I bet it's more like 5 or 6 on a good day. People are glued to their phones now so they miss the little moments to just say thanks. I started making eye contact with my bus driver and giving a quick nod, it's not hard once you get back in the habit.

emmam6722d ago

I live in a city where the bus drivers barely look at you, let alone wait for a nod. @wadeyoung, I have to say that eye contact and a nod doesn't always register with them either. Most of them are just trying to stay on schedule and avoid the crazies. The real problem is that people have stopped saying thank you because they're too busy or too annoyed to bother. I saw someone yesterday just stare at their phone as the bus driver held the door for them. It's embarrassing, but the nod thing feels like a step back too, not a real thank you.

kelly96822d ago

yeah I kinda used to think people were overreacting about this whole thing but honestly reading this made me realize i've been one of those phone zombies too. caught myself hopping off the bus yesterday without even looking up, felt like a total jerk when i remembered this post.