I grew up taking the bus every where. My mom did not have a drivers license and my dad rarely took us anywhere. Here are some things I learned, during my formative years (from 1965 - 1977), taking public transportation in Seattle.
It is possible to throw up on the bus without making a mess, if your mom has a large plastic shopping bag. It is, however, super gross to have to feel the squishy warmth pushed against you.
Homeless people (or "bums", as my mom called them) had metal problems, that's why they bumped into people when walking down the bus aisle, why they talked so loudly and why they stunk so badly. Yes, metal. That's what I thought my mom said for years, although I couldn't understand how metal caused those afflictions I stayed as far away from metal as I could just in case.
Some bus drivers are rally nice, some are really crabby.
Nuns wearing habits do not like being called penguins, even if a 5 year old thinks that's what they look like and loudly says so to her mom.
Some people like other people of the same sex. I found that out around age 8 after watching two men make out on the bus, I mean seriously making out with tongues and everything. I was so confused, yet amazed. Much to my mom's mortification I couldn't stop staring. I had so many questions that she refused to answer until we got home. But... but... but. Once off the bus she explained it all to me, told me it was called being gay, that her (and my) favorite cousin was gay. "That's just the way some people are made", she told me.
A bus driver would stop the bus and make screaming people get off. If they refused to disembark the vehicle the driver would call the police.
Some people didn't mind spanking or slapping their children on the bus while everyone quietly watched, but pretended not to.
It is possible to carry a Christmas tree home on the bus.
What's the strangest thing you've seen while taking public transportation?
Ha! I love the "metal problems" fear. Kids hear things you never consider as an adult. So cute.
I don't think I've ever taken public transportation. Well, I did take the ferry while in the PNW years ago. Is that considered public transportation? Oh, I also took the trolley in San Francisco. Both were more tourist-y deals than a need to really get anywhere. Foot-power was the way to go when I was a child. That and the family station wagon.
Fun post!
Posted by: Lisa | May 17, 2011 at 07:43 AM
I can't say that I saw strange stuff while taking the bus. I use to take it all the time with my sisters in San Jose. Got on the bus at Alameda and Heading and off in downtown SJ for hours of hanging out. I was about 7 or 8. No way would I have let my kids ride the bus by themselves when they were that age. But 50 years ago times were a little more sane. I like taking the train now if I have to take public transportation. We didn't ride with the bums but my mom fed them. Our house was marked since we lived so close to the train tracks in SJ. Always had some raggedy old guy knocking on the door asking for food and my mom never turned them away. She had a stack of dishes that she kept just for them and only they ate off of them. When I asked why she said "Never know what disease they have." So I grew up thinking all bums had disease. Great post.
Posted by: Reva | May 17, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Being from a very small town, I have no experience with public transportation. I have ridden the Marta in Atlanta and that's it!
Posted by: The Incredible Woody | May 17, 2011 at 08:47 AM
I cannot tell what I saw in 10 years on NYC public transportation. I'd get arrested.
Posted by: Mental P Mama | May 17, 2011 at 05:01 PM
Strangest thing I ever saw disembarking public transportation - NYC subway, walked off the train to see a very large, perhaps 300 lb. woman standing absolutely still and stark naked. I was a newbie to NYC. It grew me up fast.
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | May 17, 2011 at 07:46 PM
The only time I ever rode a bus was as a small child when my grandmother would take us "downtown." To me a bus ride is intimately connected with lunch at the Woolworth's counter.
Posted by: Jenn @ Juggling Life | May 23, 2011 at 05:09 PM
I agree with most of your points, but a few need to be discussed further, I will hold a small talk with my partners and maybe I will look for you some suggestion soon
Posted by: medical waste disposal | June 21, 2011 at 03:26 AM