Have you ever noticed how people do not like to sit together on the bus? The "one-seat buffer" is a common occurrence and verifies the fact that most people have personal space issues. Too often I find myself choosing not to sit on the bus or the skytrain in the morning to avoid those awkward conversations governed by what I call "bus talkers".
definition:
bus talkers = anyone who is unable to entertain themselves on transit and must resort to making conversation to the people around them - namely the person in the seat beside.
Once you sit beside them, conversation is inevitable and you must sit, trying not to offend, and pray for the rare chance that the train or bus might just drive a little faster that day so your agony can be as short as possible.
I find it funny the tactics people use to prevent others from sitting beside them. There's the classic put your bag on the seat beside you one as well as the "sit in the aisle seat" so people wont sit beside you. Both these methods are quite turn-off-ish and may lead to people resenting you for your selfishness of needing 2 seats to yourself.
I decided to compile a list of subtle methods to prevent people from sitting beside you on the bus:
- stare people down as they get on the bus. If you get a good look at them they are less likely to sit beside you. (trust me, this works)
- cough and sneeze loudly - nobody wants to get sick
- lack personal hygiene - nobody likes to sit beside someone who stinks
- excessive personal hygiene - see reason above
- purposefully place your umbrella on the seat beside you so it gets wet, then put it on the floor
- vomit on the bus - ok, this is really gross, but true story, there's this guy who takes my bus every day. One time he puked on the bus, and I have never sat beside him since, you never know when he'll do it again
As for me, I got an interview this week for a co-op job, so hopefully they offer me a spot so I'll have something for next semester. I'm a little scared though, it's my first interview in a couple of years.
Boersma
