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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Only poor people get the bus…

323 replies

EmpressOfTheSofa · 23/01/2023 21:04

..I was told yesterday by a close relative. In the context of mocking me.

I get a bus to work. My bus stop is literally outside my house and ten minutes later it drops me off outside my work. I pay £70 a month for this.

If I drive to work it costs petrol plus £135 a month parking fees, and the closest two car parks are each a ten minute walk from work. It also takes longer to drive because of the one way system/bus lanes. It’s a no brainer.

But I got roundly mocked and told she wouldn’t be seen dead on public transport.

This was in the context of her admiring a new item I’d bought and I said oh funnily enough two separate ladies at the bus stop have also complimented it, she then shrieked with laughter and said there’s a weird contrast between having an expensive X and then getting public transport and that I probably look like a weirdo. That the only people who use buses outside of London are poor people who can’t afford to drive.

She’s bonkers, right? And a tad nasty? I’ve been stewing on this for a couple of days and shouldn’t let her rile me but ffs.

OP posts:
9thFloorNightmare · 23/01/2023 21:21

EmpressOfTheSofa · 23/01/2023 21:04

..I was told yesterday by a close relative. In the context of mocking me.

I get a bus to work. My bus stop is literally outside my house and ten minutes later it drops me off outside my work. I pay £70 a month for this.

If I drive to work it costs petrol plus £135 a month parking fees, and the closest two car parks are each a ten minute walk from work. It also takes longer to drive because of the one way system/bus lanes. It’s a no brainer.

But I got roundly mocked and told she wouldn’t be seen dead on public transport.

This was in the context of her admiring a new item I’d bought and I said oh funnily enough two separate ladies at the bus stop have also complimented it, she then shrieked with laughter and said there’s a weird contrast between having an expensive X and then getting public transport and that I probably look like a weirdo. That the only people who use buses outside of London are poor people who can’t afford to drive.

She’s bonkers, right? And a tad nasty? I’ve been stewing on this for a couple of days and shouldn’t let her rile me but ffs.

Lets hope she won't never go through a change of circumstances that will force her into a rude awakening

I once dated a guy who on the 1st date told me he didn't do public transport...
My brain was screaming red flags but I ignored - later on it was clear he was selfish, entitled and looked down on everyone and everything

countvoncount · 23/01/2023 21:21

How ridiculous is she!!
I cringe for her comment!!

nappiesandcontracts · 23/01/2023 21:22

Really weird version of snobbery from someone not very bright. I have the choice of bus or train for my commute and will happily take the bus if the times work better. No different from any form of public transport as far as I'm concerned!

DontMakeMeShushYou · 23/01/2023 21:22

I take the bus to work. It makes me around £120 a month richer compared to driving and means I get to read my book for 3 hours. People can think I'm poor if they want, but I'm the one with the extra time and money.

AutumnCrow · 23/01/2023 21:24

Absolutely there are no university professors and lecturers on buses in congested university cities getting some reading done on their way to being happily dropped off close to their departments that don't have any parking spaces anyway.

What a thought.

Flymetothetoon · 23/01/2023 21:25

I have a driving license for a reason. Fucking hate buses with a passion and judging by the empty ones that go by my house every day so does everyone else in my village Grin

Zanatdy · 23/01/2023 21:25

What a snob, nothing wrong with getting public transport

TwinsAndTiramisu · 23/01/2023 21:26

Well, yes there are a number of people on the bus who are only on it because they can't drive, and of that small group of people, most don't drive because they can't afford it. A bus is far cheaper than a taxi. So in a roundabout way, yes some "poor" people use the bus. But this ignores every other group on there. People who just prefer the more relaxed journey. People who have no parking at work, and it's far more convenient to be dropped outside their office and walk straight in. Pensioners, using their bus pass. Me, when DTwins via c-section meant I couldn't drive for 6 weeks and wanted to go into town. Teens, whose parents are tired of perpetually running them into town with no notice, and so can sort their own bloody meet ups out and take the bus there and back (DS I'm looking at you).

Smart people making their day easier use the bus. People who can't afford the other means of transport use the bus. People who can't use their car use the bus. Pensioners use the bus. Teens use the bus.

Letthecarhuntbegin · 23/01/2023 21:26

She is definitely nasty and a snob, however I will begrudgingly admit that most people I see on the bus are elderly, teenagers or, well, shall we way ‘ordinary’ people? I don’t know about poor, but I’ve never spotted anyone wearing a Rolex on a bus.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 23/01/2023 21:26
Pedallleur · 23/01/2023 21:27

SpinningFloppa · 23/01/2023 21:05

Yeh my sister said the same, she drives but wouldn’t be seen dead on the bus if anything happened to her car

2nd class riding beats 1st class walking.

NellietheElephantpackedhertrunks · 23/01/2023 21:27

Absolutely batshit crazy comment. I’m in a very fortunate financial position but, if I’m feeling too tired to drive (or have had a few drinks and want to get home cheaply), I’ll happily hop on a bus. In your circs, it makes a huge amount of sense.

reddwarfgeek · 23/01/2023 21:31

YANBU, she sounds like a shallow idiot.

I have had a driving license for 13 years but I used to live in just outside Manchester city centre. The bus routes were excellent. Many people didn't have cars as you didn't need one. Night buses saved me a fortune on taxis.
I'd still get the bus if there was a shorter or my direct route to my workplace. Buses are great for communities.

I can't believe how nasty your relative was!

weebarra · 23/01/2023 21:32

I work in Edinburgh, we have a great bus service and extortionate parking charges. I'd be mad to drive here!

Frazzled25 · 23/01/2023 21:34

You mean the peasant wagon? 😜

no, I’m kidding. I do hate taking the bus though the crazies and drunks always seem to target me. I must have one of those faces.

Original poster
EmpressOfTheSofa · 23/01/2023 21:34

Letthecarhuntbegin · 23/01/2023 21:26

She is definitely nasty and a snob, however I will begrudgingly admit that most people I see on the bus are elderly, teenagers or, well, shall we way ‘ordinary’ people? I don’t know about poor, but I’ve never spotted anyone wearing a Rolex on a bus.

That was kind of the point of the conversation.

We weren’t talking in amounts because I’m not that crass, but I currently have a £500 handbag, £400 watch, £300 boots and £300 coat that I wear every day. Please don’t take from that anything other than I’m adding details. One of the items is new and she was admiring it. So wearing all that + taking the bus makes me look like a weirdo because ‘only poor people use public transport’. I have these things because I like them and can afford them, and I find that the more expensive things last longer. They are not at all ostentatious or labelly.

There’s no way anyone would clock my things as expensive (as tbf I’m often quite frazzled before and after work and probably look a mess) but this was the point of the mockery. That I look like a twat for taking the bus as I’m not poor. Well I might not be ‘poor’ but I’m not going to spend £50 a month extra plus walking time just so I can be seen to drive!?

OP posts:
JoyPeaceHealthz · 23/01/2023 21:35

I love buses too 😅

35965a · 23/01/2023 21:35

Buses aren’t exactly cheap any more! I drive but still sometimes get the bus. Parking is expensive and sometimes buses work out quicker when you live in a city. Your relative is a weird snob.

bonzaitree · 23/01/2023 21:36

Such a weird comment.

I honestly don’t understand some people!!! 😂

Original poster
EmpressOfTheSofa · 23/01/2023 21:37

Meant to type £70 there. And in fact more than that when you factor in petrol/running costs.

OP posts:
slowquickstep · 23/01/2023 21:38

Silly old bat. I am far from poor and i use the bus.

OnlyLosersTakeTheBus · 23/01/2023 21:38

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 23/01/2023 21:26

Ta da da da dah....

You have to be rich, old and not in a hurry to take the bus round here.

Hockneypool · 23/01/2023 21:38

Bus stop wanker here too

georgarina · 23/01/2023 21:39

I sat next to a Made in Chelsea cast member on the bus once

TimeToLose8 · 23/01/2023 21:40

I live in rural SW France- there are 2 buses a day to 2 different cities, and I couldn't get to the bus stop without a car. So when I come 'home' to Merseyside I can't believe how clean, frequent, WiFi enabled and cheap the public transport here is.

My fare from the city centre to Liverpool airport was £2.

I used to hire a car for the weekend, but not now -it's far cheaper and much less stressful.