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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To open my window on the bus

440 replies

notknowledgeable · 28/01/2024 12:17

It seems to be a mission for some people to fight to have all the windows on the bus closed, for all of every journey? Why? Before covid this wasn't an issue - now it seems people have a point to make.

I get there can be a chilly draught, but just put your coat on, or put your hood up?

I am immunocompromised, and wear a mask and open the window on my way to and from work. Every single time I get ill, ( currently a couple of times a month) my classes are left with non specialist agency staff. I take all the precautions I reasonably can to keep from catching anything, but this constant battle on the bus every working day is really wearing my down.

OP posts:
SameBreakfast · 08/02/2024 11:20

notknowledgeable · 28/01/2024 17:20

Open windows are not going to cause your kids to be ill

Show quote history

Cold air can trigger asthma attacks. Your username appears to be true.

There were some teachers like you during the pandemic. The OTT self-importance does not engender respect amongst students.

SameBreakfast · 08/02/2024 11:44

notknowledgeable · 28/01/2024 19:36

Well, there are quite a few pages I have not caught up on, but the vote at the front says it all really 60/40. This is pretty much what it is on the bus - about 40% of people want to sit by an open window, and about 60% seem to want every window on the bus tight shut.

Never mind that people could die of covid or flu or chest infections if the windows are shut, but suffer no more than temporary discomfort if the windows are open.

And no, don't try and invent some convoluted scenario in which someone is going to have their life put at risk by the windows being open.

This very strongly illustrates the sheer selfishness among much of the population. "I will put your life at risk to save myself from temporary discomfort" - and no doubt these people are the first to complain if their child does not have a teacher, or their parent does not have health care.

If I sound angry, it is because I am angry. How did we end up with such a self centred, self absorbed selfish population?

Tomorrow the battle will start all over again. I get more and more assertive all the time. I see so many other people over ruled and bullied when they are just trying to get to their place of work safely. I originally was quite meek and mild and backed down and even got of the bus quite regularly. Not now. If I don't stand up for myself and everyone else like me on the bus, then the city really will end up back to sending students home because there are no teacher, and sending elderly people home because there are no carers.

This forum is full of people describing the horrendous affects of the current viruses and bacteria going round. Weeks and months of incapacity in many cases, and multiple hospital admissions. Yet people don't want to take basic hygiene precautions - fine, get ill, whether you are immunocompromised or not, you don't want these germs, but go ahead and get them - just don't force everyone around you to take that risk too, just because you don't want a draught around your neck

They are germs everywhere. Even if you have the most perfect bus journey with beautiful breezes wafting through, you still may get unwell and there is still a world of germs out there.

You are a teacher, but you are really not as important as you think you are. You must be a nightmare at work.

snoopyfanaccountant · 08/02/2024 11:47

MIL has rheumatism and if she was forced to sit in a draught on a bus because the windows were open, she would be in agony for days. No one's health trumps anyone else's. She is out and about all the time and enjoys country walks but being out in the fresh air is completely different from air being forced through a window as a bus hurtles along the motorway at 70 mph.
Oh, I forgot to mention that she is a retired teacher.

NoWordForFluffy · 08/02/2024 11:52

You are a teacher, but you are really not as important as you think you are. You must be a nightmare at work.

Fixed that for you!

SameBreakfast · 08/02/2024 11:59

notknowledgeable · 08/02/2024 06:10

its been a difficult couple of days on the bus. Very aggressive window slammers not allowing anyone to open a window, and issuing name calling and threats. A couple of us have got off twice, which means a long walk with heavy bags in pouring rain along unlit roads with unpaved footpaths.

It is so stressful. I am really anxious about setting off for work again today. Getting off in the morning is really hard, as I arrive at work late, cold, wet and muddy and behind myself all day. Yesterday all my year 9 books were wet too. Getting off on the way home is not so bad.

Lets see what today brings

‘arrive at work late, cold, wet and muddy’

What is wrong with being cold? That’s a good thing isn’t it?! Not an issue for others to be cold!!

SameBreakfast · 08/02/2024 12:00

I am just imagining how the OP would have coped on the tube in rush-hour London during the pandemic? I expect her school would have had to struggle along somehow without her very important input.

iLovee · 08/02/2024 12:02

It's getting boring now.

amicissimma · 08/02/2024 13:24

What a storm in a teacup!

If you want to open the window, open it. If you want to shut it, shut it. If there is someone in the immediate vicinity who will be affected by the change, it is courteous to ask them first and sit elsewhere if they ask you not to.

Likewise if someone wants to open/close a window near you and asks if you mind it is quite OK to say you do.

But it's individual preference, tempered with concern for our fellow citizens. No need for all this invoking syndromes or medical conditions, acronyms, indispensibility etc. We can all find some reason to justify our preferences.

Str8talkin · 08/02/2024 13:49

This reply has been deleted

This was started by a persistent troll.

Droppit · 08/02/2024 17:12

The first thing I want to do when I get on a bus is open a window. Cannot understand how people can stand the stuffy air.

RubyEarWax · 08/02/2024 17:22

This reply has been deleted

Troll banned

snoopyfanaccountant · 08/02/2024 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Troll banned

OP seems to think that being a teacher gives her some kind of extra entitlement.

Littlemisscapable · 08/02/2024 18:21

This is already been covered but to reiterate....wearing a mask and opening the window (and freezing all the other passengers) categorically will NOT prevent you getting ill. I do hope you are not a science teacher.

Numberfish · 08/02/2024 18:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

willWillSmithsmith · 08/02/2024 19:09

SameBreakfast · 08/02/2024 11:59

‘arrive at work late, cold, wet and muddy’

What is wrong with being cold? That’s a good thing isn’t it?! Not an issue for others to be cold!!

Show quote history

Good point. OP doesn’t like being cold but doesn’t care if other people are.

CruCru · 08/02/2024 19:15

The people who really annoy me are the cunts who sit on the outside seat leaving an empty seat by the window.

Yes! It's a bit off topic but I swear that people have lost the skill of using public transport. They stand in front off the exit door or the stairs and look surprised that you can't get past. They sit on the aisle seat (because they don't want to sit next to anyone) and look annoyed when you ask to sit down. This morning my husband got the bus and a bunch of people came upstairs but stayed standing. The bus driver refused to move until they sat down and they said that they didn't want to sit down.

Original poster
notknowledgeable · 08/02/2024 20:49

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 08/02/2024 09:20

I also find it hard to believe more than one person decided a long walk in the rain was a good idea

OP did you question them as to if that's why they got off?

Maybe it was just their stop

She is having chemo. We have shared our window woes for some time. We also share our torchlight if we have to get off and walk

OP posts:
Original poster
notknowledgeable · 08/02/2024 20:51

hummmmm · 08/02/2024 10:05

what?
they said they walked part of it, not that they walked the whole thing.
Most people who can walk to the bus stop are capable of walking PART of their bus trip, whether that's half a mile or five. That doesn't mean they can walk the whole distance.

Show quote history

Thank you for spelling it out for me @hummmmm ! I think posters know that really, they just pretend not to.

OP posts:
Original poster
notknowledgeable · 08/02/2024 20:54

willWillSmithsmith · 08/02/2024 11:07

You’d rather walk along unlit roads and unmade footpaths in the dark, wet and windy weather with heavy bags rather than stay on a bus because you can’t have the windows opened (even though, as people say, you could stay near the door which opens on a regular basis). That just sounds nuts.

Righto! I will tell my consultant and his team that @willWillSmithsmith thinks his considered, informed, well qualified medical advice is "nuts"!!

OP posts:
Original poster
notknowledgeable · 08/02/2024 20:55

Littlemisscapable · 08/02/2024 18:21

This is already been covered but to reiterate....wearing a mask and opening the window (and freezing all the other passengers) categorically will NOT prevent you getting ill. I do hope you are not a science teacher.

Again, I will inform my experienced and well qualified consultant that the advice he has given me on how best to stay well is incorrect!

OP posts:
Numberfish · 08/02/2024 20:59

This reply has been deleted

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0rangeCrush · 08/02/2024 21:02

CruCru · 08/02/2024 19:15

The people who really annoy me are the cunts who sit on the outside seat leaving an empty seat by the window.

Yes! It's a bit off topic but I swear that people have lost the skill of using public transport. They stand in front off the exit door or the stairs and look surprised that you can't get past. They sit on the aisle seat (because they don't want to sit next to anyone) and look annoyed when you ask to sit down. This morning my husband got the bus and a bunch of people came upstairs but stayed standing. The bus driver refused to move until they sat down and they said that they didn't want to sit down.

I sit on the aisle seat if I’m doing a short journey, but the window if I’m sitting for longer.

0rangeCrush · 08/02/2024 21:04

I hate being cold - I am always cold no matter how many layers I wear. Moving air is particularly problematic for me. Being cold causes me genuine pain.

NoWordForFluffy · 08/02/2024 21:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Shark well and truly jumped!

NoWordForFluffy · 08/02/2024 21:14

notknowledgeable · 08/02/2024 20:51

Thank you for spelling it out for me @hummmmm ! I think posters know that really, they just pretend not to.

Show quote history

Naaaah. I prefer my version actually.

You're just being ridiculous.

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