Was I a bus weirdo

[Buswonker]

This was prior to lockdown

I got on the bus to work, it was full so I had no choice but to sit next to someone

3 stops later and half the bus get off at a popular area.

My stop is the next one so I don't bother moving and stay sat next to a stranger

She asked if I was planning on moving now the bus has emptied. I said I was getting off next and she mumbled something under her breath

Am I a weirdo to stay sat next to a stranger when the bus emptied? Would you immediately move to an empty seat?

I've been thinking about this for 18 months 😂

Yeh it’s such a weird thing to do I always wonder if those people are really anxious people or something and want “seat company” or if it’s something more sinister!

Ha ha I love this post. This is the type of random stuff I worry about. Yes yes yes I'm the weirdo that would have also sat next to that person. I would worry I would offend them if I moved away. Even if they stank to high heaven I would sit there more so as i wouldn't want them thinking j was moving because they stank.

I remember all my scummy encounters on the Tube, whether they were 2 years ago or 10 years ago. There are some nasty fuckers out there.

I was on a bus once (small town going in to bigger city) and a man got on who a woman in the post office had once warned me was a paedophile. He looks like a nice friendly man.

The bus filled up to the point that people were standing but no one sat in the seat next to him... I don’t imagine all those people would have known the rumours about him... but maybe he gave off a bus weirdo vibe?

This is the type of thing that would stress me out OP.
I'd really want to move but I'd be worried about offending them if I did but worried that I was a weirdo if I didn't.

If it was the other way round I'd be wanting them to move but then worried that I smelt if they jumped up and moved straight away
🤣

I've been in her place before and just said excuse me, made the other person get up to let me out and then go and sit in the empty seat myself.

I’m antisocial and i still would not have moved for one stop

@CaffeineAndCrochet

I'd have moved to an empty set of seats but to the aisle seat and wouldn't have settled myself down. Just kind of perched on it until the time came to get up for my stop.

Same here -- and in fact, have done just this. It's a "non-offensive" way. 👍

I wouldn't move if I was getting off at the next stop and tbh I would find it quite odd if someone did!

For one stop, I probably would have fumbled about with my bag/phone making it clear I was getting ready to move and then just stood up to walk to the doors to get off.

I hate busses for this reason, I get all panicked just thinking about breaking the "bus rules" 😂😂

I'd have moved

I'd have moved

I wouldn’t for one stop.

Why would you move for one stop? Wouldn't you be getting up anyway?

If I were her I'd have been paranoid IF you'd moved that I smelled bad or something see you can't win, there's no consensus lol!

If I were you I might have moved to another seat and perched on it with visible intent to get off at the next stop.

I'd probably have struck up conversation by then, so would have stayed put.

You lot should think yourselves lucky to only have to contend with 'normal' bus weirdness. Look what we had to contend with - 'chatty buses'.

newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/go-north-easts-chatty-bus-champions-to-return-this-week-to-help-tackle-loneliness-365878

Do they know nothing of the British character? On the plus side we have a bus route called the "Whey Aye Five O" so I'll let them off.

No I wouldn't move. That would be really odd.

If I were you I would want to move immediately but wouldn’t for fear of causing offence.

If I were them I would want you to move and be (inwardly) feeling v awkward if you didn’t but I would also be a bit offended if you did,

I would also still be fretting about it 18 months later either way.

I wouldn't move, as I'd feel it would be like saying that the person next to me smelt badly or something like that.

I don’t get why people are saying they would think the person was saying they smelt? Surely they would have moved straight away if that was the case? Or would you just continue to sit next to a stinky person? I would have just thought they wanted the space

YANBU. And she was a cheeky cow.

For me it actually depends on how comfortable I feel sitting next to the person next to me. I would stay put or move based on the vibe I am getting.

I’d have moved out of politeness but I think I’m socially awkward

I've been thinking about this for 18 months

I love this bit. We have all agonised over minutiae before not me obviously, I'm special and supremely confident