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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bus drivers

52 replies

plumcat · 12/09/2018 13:54

I seem to have o be prepared for some sort of attitude from the driver every time I get on be bus. Don't get me wrong.. I'm sure I wouldn't be chirpy if I was driving a bus all day but why do they think it's ok to be so rude?

OP posts:
Gettingbackonmyfeet · 12/09/2018 13:57

I hate to ask the obvious but are you really getting attitude every single time? That seems odd unless you are doing something to cause it (at least sometimes)

I'm hardly pro bus drivers as Exdh has one in his family who is a gigantic twat but if it happens every time what's the common denominator here?

1HitWonder · 12/09/2018 14:59

I agree, when I used to get the bus they always seemed like someone had p**sed on their cornflakes that morning. Also had instances of being left at the bus stop in the pouring rain (no shelter stop too) even though I was there waiting with my hand out etc and the bus wasn’t even full when it went past. 17 year old me, on my own after a 12 hour shift at night really appreciated that!

I understand they must deal with some nasty people some days but if they hate their jobs that much they should look elsewhere…

TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 · 12/09/2018 15:04

There are huge numbers of perfectly nice bus drivers. There are going to be some grumpy ones as well, same as anywhere else.
If you feel like you are getting attitude from every single bus driver, perhaps you should examine the attitude you are giving them? You're the common denominator....

Sirzy · 12/09/2018 15:05

If all members of any group where seemingly being rude to me it may make me wonder if I was doing something to cause it, even inadvertently!

I rarely use buses but can’t say I have ever encountered any major problems with the drivers!

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 12/09/2018 15:08

Haven't been on a bus in 20 odd years but don't remember them being rude. What are they doing?

Nesssie · 12/09/2018 15:09

I'm sure I wouldn't be chirpy if I was driving a bus all day - Perhaps you are making your disregard/disdain for their job obvious? Hmm you don't exactly sound charming..

Havaina · 12/09/2018 15:10

I usually just scan my pass and get on, no opportunity for the driver to be nice or rude to me.

Also think it's weird that you attitude every time you get on the bus.

Unless you're disabled and assistance that the drivers refuse to provide.

Doyoumind · 12/09/2018 15:12

What part of the country are you in? Where I live the drivers greet you as you get on and say bye when you get off. That isn't the case in London but their job is a lot busier and the driving more stressful.

1HitWonder · 12/09/2018 15:13

In OP’s defense I am from an area of London where the bus drivers did seem to have a cobb on all the time. I think it is because they have to deal with a lot of crap from passengers, that you probably don’t get in the more countryside areas.

hobblesma · 12/09/2018 15:14

They are not all the same. Just as not all non bus drivers are not nice.

IamPickleRick · 12/09/2018 15:16

No I agree, there is always some level of attitude from the bus driver. I’ve been sworn at because my oyster didn’t swipe first time, had the doors closed in my face because I couldn’t l get off quick enough, one lady driver stops the bus on double yellows and gets out to do her shopping while leaving the bus running, told to hurry the fuck up when getting on... it’s awful.

I often think they hold in a lot of aggression all day and take it out on some poor sod who looks like they won’t answer back. I’m in north London so that definitely makes a difference. You don’t get the same treatment in Herts!

stardewvalley · 12/09/2018 15:56

There are some right grumps on my route but equally there are some lovely drivers - it wouldn't be fair to tar them all with the same brush. Try not to take it personally.

WhiteCoyote · 12/09/2018 16:01

Here we go another bus driver one.

My dp’s a bus driver. If you saw the incredible amount of shit and abuse he has to deal with daily then you’d be grumpy too. Trust me. He’s honestly one of the friendliest chattiest people I know but I’d very different behind the wheel of a huge vehicle he’s responsible for and it’s passengers - half of which want to argue with him over things completely beyond his control.

Same with all his bus driver friends - really nice people to socialise with, complete dicks (by their own admission) when at work.

Original poster
plumcat · 12/09/2018 16:53

No it doesn't happen every single time, but still, too many times to mention. I'm a very polite person so it's not a response to me, it's more that they seem to look for reasons to complain. I get on a bus about four days per week. I live in Glasgow.

I have very bad social anxiety so therefore I use the mobile phone app for my bus pass. There's been too many times I wasn't aware that the bus fares have went up (again) and the bus drivers have embarrassed me infront of the other passengers, so having the app avoids this. I have the feeling that the drivers hate the app though as sometimes it doesn't scan (maybe they should have a word with the head of the company then)

An example is, the other day I was on with my baby and I pressed the button for the next stop, and the driver told me "you aren't the only person on the bus, you need to give me more time before you want to get off" then he started muttering under his breath.

Thanks @Nesssie, you sound like a right hoot yourself

OP posts:
SnuggyBuggy · 12/09/2018 16:57

The bus I used to get to work had very rude drivers. They seemed to really resent stopping for passengers and you literally had to stand at the edge of the pavement with your eyes glued to the road or they would floor it past you. Sometimes I had to walk into the road waving my arms to get them to stop and once stopped you had to maintain eye contact so they wouldn't interpret it as you changing your mind and drive off.

Original poster
plumcat · 12/09/2018 17:01

@TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2
No need for you to comment if you don't have experience of rude bus drivers :) thanks

OP posts:
TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 · 12/09/2018 17:03

Rather rude to single out one person when others say the same thing? Rather reinforcing my point that its probably you with the attitude problem.

melj1213 · 12/09/2018 17:08

I pressed the button for the next stop, and the driver told me "you aren't the only person on the bus, you need to give me more time before you want to get off"

This makes no sense to me, why would he talk about needing more time unless you literally only pressed the button a few seconds before your stop? If that was the case then he has a point.

paintinmyhairAgain · 12/09/2018 17:10

manners seem to be lacking with a lot of passengers too, glued to their phones when they get on the bus, dismissive of people behind them, then slunk of the bus without so much as a thank you.
i used to date a bus driver, he used to get really pissed off at the attitude of some passengers.

Original poster
plumcat · 12/09/2018 17:11

@TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 because I don't have all day.

OP posts:
TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 · 12/09/2018 17:20

You could have said it as a general point but you chose to pick on one person. Again, your attitude: not very nice.

Original poster
plumcat · 12/09/2018 17:24

@TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2
Maybe I was especially offended but your comment, as it was quite personal, and a false perception of my character

OP posts:
Original poster
plumcat · 12/09/2018 17:27

Unnecessary comments aren't okay here . I was purely venting and looking for others who have had similar experiences to vent with. I'm not an abusive person, I don't have a bad attitude (but will speak up when required) if that qualifies as having a bad attitude then I'm glad to have one. If you are pro bus driver and don't like any bad word said about them, this thread isn't for you

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 12/09/2018 17:32

OP it's AIBU. You'd have been better posting in Chat if you didn't want any negative comments.

WoolyMama · 12/09/2018 17:49

I live in the same area and find that although there's the occasional ride one most of them are lovely.

I have a feeling you're being over sensitive (I have social anxiety myself so I know I'm guilty of this often as well).
Telling you that the price of a ticket has gone up isn't rude, it's their job.

Also if you didn't want people to disagree with you shouldn't have posted on an open forum and certainly not aibu.
The point of aibu is literally to ask others if they think you're wrong. It's in the name.

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