Overwhelmed by concern
About a week ago, I’m on the 16 riding toward the University. The bus is standing room only when suddenly the bus driver slams on the brakes, sending everyone standing hurtling forward. Most people manage to catch themselves, but one older gentleman, about six people in front of me, actually falls down and appears to be in some pain. Some of us immediately try to help him, but are hesitant to have him stand because he’s hurt and would have been very difficult to lift on a crowded, moving bus.
This is not the right course of action. So says one college girl who is, mind you, seated exactly where the old man is lying. As she sits over him, she yells, “Isn’t anyone going to help him up?” Because she is clearly in the best position to help she, of course, does nothing and does not even offer to give him her seat. Instead, she looks condemningly at the rest of us who are—I remind you—already helping the man until eventually people pull him up, slowly and awkwardly, onto another seat given up by someone else. The college girl then simply looks forward until her next stop, walks right past the man, and continues on. I think that old man is extremely lucky that we worker bees had a real life college student to direct us. I’m sure he was overwhelmed by her concern.
Mar 20th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
What would anyone exspect from the snobs of UM,I swear the books sucked all the commen sense out of them and the mandatory coarse is How to nbe Rue because you go to the U, they don,t seem to be happy at all, and for the people that tried, I drive the 16 and enjoy the people, they watch out for each other and are very friendly people, it makes every day worth going to work, thanks for caring,
Apr 1st, 2008 at 12:18 am
I have recenly had the oppotunity to bid on U routes. And I heard what snobs some of the students can be. Diane, you have my sympathy.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I drove various bus routes for 20 years (I’ve had a cushy office job for 11 years now) and I know that snobs aren’t limited to U of M students, and rudeness isn’t limited to the young.
As an older woman boarded my full bus, I couldn’t see anyone moving to give up their seat. I used my best PA system voice (this was before microphones on the bus) to announce: “If someone doesn’t give my mother their seat, I’m giving her mine!” I’ve never seen six people move so fast, bumping into each other in their haste to vacate a seat or two.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
@Shella, I would have loved to see that! Hilarious!