Poll: Do you say 'thanks' to transport workers (bus drivers, taxi drivers, train drivers etc.)?

[Batou667]

I used to always thank bus drivers. Then I moved to London, where the bus drivers are all soulless, dead-eyed, and hate their jobs almost as much as they despise people. I discovered very quickly that most London bus drivers won't give you eye-contact, let alone return your greeting or thanks.

I always thank taxi drivers though, it'd be awkward not to.

 

[jamail77]

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I'll take your word for it, so I stand corrected. You show your appreciation to other service people, which I think makes your perspective fair. What do you think makes so many bus drivers in particular so rude?

Hmm, here they sometimes refuse to help disabled people get on the bus, they disrespect any bus related regulation there is and when you try to correct them they yell at you, they try to charge you more than they should for the distance you're going (not always, but if has happened to me quite a few times), etc. I'm talking from my personal experience, but from what other argies have told me, it's pretty much a common thing.

OK, that describes in what way they're rude from your personal experience and discussions, but my question was WHAT causes them to act like that.

 

[viscomica]

OK, that describes in what way they're rude from your personal experience and discussions, but my question was WHAT causes them to act like that.

It's always something to do with the union but they always end up taking measures that are more against the usual passengers than their employers. This usually generates tension as the majority of people (even upper class people) use the public transport to get to their jobs as it's usually faster and cheaper than driving. So as a consequence, both parties end up looking at each other with discontent.

 

[jamail77]

Sorry, since your post is right above mine I'm just going to respond without quoting, so...you might not even see this. I don't want it to turn into a quote fest I have to edit to be less messy like I've had to do in other threads.

Anyway, that's too bad. Whenever a situation arises that causes both parties to look at each other with contempt it's not easy to resolve nor is fun to deal with. Both parties probably have their fair share of bad days and problems. The bus drivers should not act like that, but if the right circumstance came around to change their attitude the riders would probably understand their previous grievance and give some leeway. That's a damn shame all around regardless of who is acting more unfair.