the bus driver

I finally talked to the bus driver today.

For a long time, I have been thinking about one of the drivers in whose bus I ride to work. I usually take a bus 15 minutes earlier than his, but from time to time, I ride on his bus. Like other community shuttle drivers, he plays the radio in his bus - so we have music while we ride.

The trouble is, this bus driver chooses a radio station whose morning show host is very rude. The music is great, but in between songs, the radio host goes on an on with very crude comments and jokes that make me feel totally embarrassed, and offended that this kind of talk is being imposed on me and the other riders. The radio plays loud and clear enough to be heard to the back of the bus, and riders include grandparents, parents, small children, teens on their way to school, university students, and ordinary people like me. It has to be bugging more than just me.

Still, I have had trouble working up the nerve to talk to the driver about it. I don't think he's just a jerk. Whenever his young nephew is waiting for the school bus along the route, he slows his bus down, opens the door, and tosses out a granola bar or apple to the boy as we pass by. He told me once how much he likes that kid, and wants him to know that he is loved.

For a little while, he switched stations, and I was relieved. Yesterday morning, the awful station was tuned in again, with even more hideous and borderline obscene banter. I was determined to talk to the driver as we approached my stop. Just as the radio host was going to launch into a contest called "Who's Nailin' Palin?" the driver switched stations.

I found my opening and went up to the driver. I thanked him for switching the radio, and told him that I enjoy the music on that station, but find the host very rude. I told him that I would not want children to listen to that kind of talk while they ride the bus. He just laughed in an uncomfortable way "heh heh heh." I wished him a good day and disembarked.

I have a feeling he has known all along that this is not appropriate. I hope that he knows now that at least one passenger does not want to hear that. I feel good that I said something, and wish I had done so sooner.

question: when have you stayed quiet until you found courage?

mompoet - wondering at the nature of us