Why using public transit BLOWS

I live in a fairly big city. Mississauga has close to 1 million people now and our transit system here is one of the best. Our buses are clean, new, air-conditioned and wheel chair accessible. Each bus stop has a 4 digit number posted on the pole. We can call the central automated number, enter our bus stop number and get info on when the next 2 or 3 buses will arrive at that stop. We can even plan ahead for later days in the week with the automated system. We can also access the website and simply enter a street or intersection in order to find bus stop numbers and arrivals and departure times. Sounds pretty good right? It is good, it's the people that make riding the bus a trauma.

I have been taking the bus for years and it never fails to amaze me how unbelieveably rude people can be.

You have the obnoxious teenagers on cell phones shrilly squealing at the top of their voices, their conversations punctuated every few seconds by squeals of "OH MY GAWD, RILLY?!?!

The drunken fools who weave and stumble and almost land in your lap. The women who BATHE in perfume that gags. People who feel the need to tell you their life story once they sit down. People, men and women, who will not under any circumstances give up their seat for others who are elderly or infirm, despite there being signs posted at the front of the bus that indicates that they must vacate if such a need arises. People who have no idea at all about PERSONAL SPACE and will lean on you, sit on you or overwelm you with body odor.

Yesterday was one of those fun days. I was sitting there minding my own business, listening to my mp3 player (which is a must for riding public transit in order to drown out everything else). I always sit near the back and by the window if I can as I prefer not to sit in the aisle seat and have someones ass in my face if it can be avoided. (which by the way, has happened more than once!) The bus was filling up and I had my big canvas bag on the seat beside me as usual. I will ALWAYS move it into my lap if someone wants to sit down. When a bunch of people got on at one of the stops, I was dreaming out the window and didn't notice until this guy sits down beside me, ON MY BAG. I was tryin to get it out of the way when he lifts it up and throws it into my lap!! I looked at him and said well pardon me, ya could have given me a second to move it and he says to me "Lady I don't want to be home before you move your bag"..I thought, oh good grief, whatever and I went back to looking out the window. It didn't end there however, his friend that was with him ragged about it til they got off, about how are people supposed to sit when others have their crap all over the seat. I ignored him. Then as they were getting off he turns to me and yells your a bitch!! OMFG...so I flipped him the bird thru the window and mouthed F**K YOU!! Immature I know, but at that point I simply didn't give a shit!

I can put up with alot of shit, I ignore people where possible and try to be good neighbor sam when it's clear that people need a seat. When did it become commonplace to abuse people on the freakin bus??

I just laughed to myself after flippin him the bird, I wasn't upset and thought hey, good blog fodder, but incredulous at the same time.

Is there such a thing as "BUS RAGE" ??

Apparently there is.

Til next time

Cathy