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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To help a stranger on the bus?

29 replies

MrsT84 · 30/03/2023 21:22

On my way home from work today, the bus driver stopped to let passengers on. A man at the front of the queue, who spoke little English, was 50p short of a single fare. All singles in our area are £2 at the moment so you can't pay anything less. The driver kept telling the man NO! - he couldn't travel, he needed more money, he had to get off and walk, he had to pay by card.... He let others on and kept telling the man to get off and walk. This went on for some time so I popped to the front of the bus and gave the man 50p in a bid to get the journey going again and feeling everyone deserves a bit of kindness. When I got off the bus the driver said thank you to me but that I shouldn't do what I did. Surely it's up to me how I spend my money and who I help. AIBU to help a stranger or is the bus driver right?

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 30/03/2023 21:24

😂

LarryStylinson · 30/03/2023 21:25

Is that you Joan Osbourne?

Ktime · 30/03/2023 21:27

The driver should hush, you did right OP.

Vallmo47 · 30/03/2023 21:28

I didn’t think busses accepted cash anymore!

ColdHandsHotHead · 30/03/2023 21:31

I think you must live in the same area as I do, as we have £2 bus fares here too. You did a very kind thing. Some of the bus drivers are not so nice.

Needmorelego · 30/03/2023 21:32

@Vallmo47 depends where you live - plenty of buses still take cash.
@MrsT84 that was a nice thing to do. None of the driver's business what you do with your money.

Batfurger · 30/03/2023 21:32

If you didn't take a selfie, it doesn't count.

MacarenaMacarena · 30/03/2023 21:33

I'd do the same as you OP - thank you for your kindness xx

Theunamedcat · 30/03/2023 21:33

Our buses take exact change only or card but the card machines rarely work 🤔

LubaLuca · 30/03/2023 21:34

Is this a genuine question? Because of it is I'll answer it with a question - how long and loud did the other passengers clap for?

Daisyismynameorisnot · 30/03/2023 21:34

I did this recently for a lady. A bit of kindness never hurts in life. I ended up sitting next to her and she was trying to get to work, trains had stopped etc and she was also a bit lost. Hopefully she will pay it forward.

QueSyrahSyrah · 30/03/2023 21:34

Our buses take both, but it's 10p cheaper to pay by card.

You did the right thing OP.

spotddog · 30/03/2023 21:35

I found myself with too little credit on my Oyster card. A mother sent her daughter to me with a spare Oyster card and insisted I keep it. I promised to pay forward which I did by topping up and passing it on to a young person in need.

What goes around, comes around.

Popsicle42 · 30/03/2023 21:36

LarryStylinson · 30/03/2023 21:25

Is that you Joan Osbourne?

Just trying to make his way home…

You win the internet today!

ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 30/03/2023 21:36

YABU for starting a whole thread for head pats over 50p. You're hardly Mother Theresa

Theunamedcat · 30/03/2023 21:36

The person might have been a repeat offender always "short" knowing people will step in and help the bus driver might have seen him before and was trying to warn you

WandaWonder · 30/03/2023 21:39

No offence to the passenger but the driver may have this person doing the same thing every day

I am not trying to be cynical but I presume the driver is experienced enough to say it for a reason

If this is all true anyway

Original poster
MrsT84 · 30/03/2023 21:40

ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 30/03/2023 21:36

YABU for starting a whole thread for head pats over 50p. You're hardly Mother Theresa

Not looking for "head pats" at all. Genuinely interested to see what others thought about the drivers comment thank you.

OP posts:
Ktime · 30/03/2023 21:42

WandaWonder · 30/03/2023 21:39

No offence to the passenger but the driver may have this person doing the same thing every day

I am not trying to be cynical but I presume the driver is experienced enough to say it for a reason

If this is all true anyway

So what if he does?

Someone looking for 50p to give to the driver on the bus to get somewhere is hardly a scam.

If the man was begging for 50p in town to get a bus then that would be different.

Original poster
MrsT84 · 30/03/2023 21:43

WandaWonder · 30/03/2023 21:39

No offence to the passenger but the driver may have this person doing the same thing every day

I am not trying to be cynical but I presume the driver is experienced enough to say it for a reason

If this is all true anyway

I guess, but from his response to the guy I didn't get that impression.

OP posts:
tothelefttotheleft · 30/03/2023 21:44

ColdHandsHotHead · 30/03/2023 21:31

I think you must live in the same area as I do, as we have £2 bus fares here too. You did a very kind thing. Some of the bus drivers are not so nice.

Isn't this a nationwide cost of living initiative. Think it's just been extended for a second time until June.

Original poster
MrsT84 · 30/03/2023 21:45

LubaLuca · 30/03/2023 21:34

Is this a genuine question? Because of it is I'll answer it with a question - how long and loud did the other passengers clap for?

Yes, genuine question. No one else on the bus reacted at all.

OP posts:
Iwantmyoldnameback · 30/03/2023 21:45

Theunamedcat · 30/03/2023 21:36

The person might have been a repeat offender always "short" knowing people will step in and help the bus driver might have seen him before and was trying to warn you

Are you my mother?

ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 30/03/2023 21:45

MrsT84 · 30/03/2023 21:40

Not looking for "head pats" at all. Genuinely interested to see what others thought about the drivers comment thank you.

Show quote history

Lol. Sure.

girlfriend44 · 30/03/2023 21:47

Why didn't the man you gave the 50p for say thank you.

Why didn't you ask the driver what he meant I would.
On the whole there is nothing wrong with random kindness but I would expect thanks from the person I helped. It's just common courtesy.