EVERYBODY ON THE BUS
Do you ever have the opportunity to ride on a public bus? I suspect not, judging from the pictures we see of bumper-to-bumper auto traffic on the nation's freeways.
For most of us, bus-riding began with the school bus. I previously wrote that I started doing so at age 5. I carried on that tradition for many years, through school and into the workworld, until the day that I got a job as an outside salesman, which meant switching to a car. Then, with a change in job status, I once more found myself choosing to ride a bus to work and enjoying the many pleasurable acquaintances along the way.
I think the phrase "what goes around comes around," is appropriate, because I am once again riding a bus, but for a different reason. For a number of years I have been traveling to the University to engage international students in English conversation. What a wonderful experience! However, my riding has taken a somewhat different turn. There is no longer the openness of conversation that I once enjoyed. It is, in fact, quite the opposite, with fellow riders desiring to stay aloof.
I have taken the fun to categorize my fellow passengers in this manner : (1) students with noses stuck in their books; (2) readers enjoying novels; (3) music lovers with speakers stuck in one or both ears (thank goodness); (4) the "space-starers," looking straight ahead and without expression.
Ride a bus and invent your own categories. You might even be startled by getting into a conversation. It's a fun thing to do.
More, later.
P.S. Have I mentioned the environmental benefits that accrue when car drivers become bus riders?
For most of us, bus-riding began with the school bus. I previously wrote that I started doing so at age 5. I carried on that tradition for many years, through school and into the workworld, until the day that I got a job as an outside salesman, which meant switching to a car. Then, with a change in job status, I once more found myself choosing to ride a bus to work and enjoying the many pleasurable acquaintances along the way.
I think the phrase "what goes around comes around," is appropriate, because I am once again riding a bus, but for a different reason. For a number of years I have been traveling to the University to engage international students in English conversation. What a wonderful experience! However, my riding has taken a somewhat different turn. There is no longer the openness of conversation that I once enjoyed. It is, in fact, quite the opposite, with fellow riders desiring to stay aloof.
I have taken the fun to categorize my fellow passengers in this manner : (1) students with noses stuck in their books; (2) readers enjoying novels; (3) music lovers with speakers stuck in one or both ears (thank goodness); (4) the "space-starers," looking straight ahead and without expression.
Ride a bus and invent your own categories. You might even be startled by getting into a conversation. It's a fun thing to do.
More, later.
P.S. Have I mentioned the environmental benefits that accrue when car drivers become bus riders?
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