2008 Woodie Awards
Students on the bus are rude, rude, rude
Piotr Skrabacz
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Opinion
We see them every day, whether it's in the morning as we stagger out of bed to make it to 8 a.m. classes or nighttime rescues from the possibility of getting arrested for driving under the influence. I'm talking about the Western Illinois University bus drivers.
These men and women wake up before we even slip out of REM sleep to make sure the things we have to do, like make it to class even if it's snowing, as easy as possible.
With all they do for students here at Western, it makes my stomach cringe when I hear stuck-up brats take their bad attitudes out on someone who is not only trying do his or her job but also enabling everyone else to do theirs, too.
The number of times I have witnessed students disrespect the bus drivers without remorse are countless. Some of these verbal assaults have ranged from toddler backtalk to actual verbal threats bordering jail time and leaving some witnesses wondering which cave these Neanderthals grew up in.
Although the bus drivers may sometimes sound stern when loading up the bus to capacity, the things they say are clearly done to benefit the students and not for their own personal pleasure.
Yet they deal with offensive language and behavior to make your life easier and Saturday night more enjoyable. Yes, being a bus driver is their job and they do get paid - not nearly enough for what they put up with - but they should not have to deal with the ridiculous amount of crap some students put them through.
We are young adults trying to establish a stable and respectable life, which is why I am so bewildered about how some feel it is acceptable to speak to someone that much older in a manner that would make Howard Stern blush.
What's even more appalling is the blatant disregard by the other passengers too busy changing the songs on their iPods to reason with the provocateur and get the bus back on track. This unfortunately is easier said than done.
The concept is simple: If the bus capacity is 45 people and there are 25 people on the bus, and the bus driver politely asks you to make a friend and move closer so more people in your situation could utilize the resource they are entitled to - do it.
If the bus driver asks that you enter through the front and exit at the rear, do it so others can get on with their lives and avoid catching a bad attitude.
The next time you hear the words "move it on back," instead of becoming defensive, think about how much easier it would be to swallow your attitude so others can proceed with their lives.
I know at least one person who would thank you for it.
These men and women wake up before we even slip out of REM sleep to make sure the things we have to do, like make it to class even if it's snowing, as easy as possible.
With all they do for students here at Western, it makes my stomach cringe when I hear stuck-up brats take their bad attitudes out on someone who is not only trying do his or her job but also enabling everyone else to do theirs, too.
The number of times I have witnessed students disrespect the bus drivers without remorse are countless. Some of these verbal assaults have ranged from toddler backtalk to actual verbal threats bordering jail time and leaving some witnesses wondering which cave these Neanderthals grew up in.
Although the bus drivers may sometimes sound stern when loading up the bus to capacity, the things they say are clearly done to benefit the students and not for their own personal pleasure.
Yet they deal with offensive language and behavior to make your life easier and Saturday night more enjoyable. Yes, being a bus driver is their job and they do get paid - not nearly enough for what they put up with - but they should not have to deal with the ridiculous amount of crap some students put them through.
We are young adults trying to establish a stable and respectable life, which is why I am so bewildered about how some feel it is acceptable to speak to someone that much older in a manner that would make Howard Stern blush.
What's even more appalling is the blatant disregard by the other passengers too busy changing the songs on their iPods to reason with the provocateur and get the bus back on track. This unfortunately is easier said than done.
The concept is simple: If the bus capacity is 45 people and there are 25 people on the bus, and the bus driver politely asks you to make a friend and move closer so more people in your situation could utilize the resource they are entitled to - do it.
If the bus driver asks that you enter through the front and exit at the rear, do it so others can get on with their lives and avoid catching a bad attitude.
The next time you hear the words "move it on back," instead of becoming defensive, think about how much easier it would be to swallow your attitude so others can proceed with their lives.
I know at least one person who would thank you for it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Bus Driver
posted 3/04/08 @ 10:38 PM CST
Thank You!
Brian Hayes
posted 3/05/08 @ 11:38 AM CST
The bus drivers are forced to deal with some really offensive behavior from students, something that I'm sure they would react to quite differently if not employed as drivers. (Continued…)
timmy t
posted 3/06/08 @ 10:52 PM CST
I have total respect for the bus drivers, but I was on the bus about a month ago and a driver yelled at a kid for stepping outside to let people off and getting back on. (Continued…)
cheryl
posted 3/15/08 @ 3:22 PM CST
I agree Timmy, sometimes it is the bus drivers fault, I can't belive the way I have been treated by them and its always them discriminationg because i have a disability and use a wheelchair/crutches. (Continued…)
dj48
Jane
posted 3/16/08 @ 8:17 PM CST
I have to agree it's partly the bus driver's faults just because you can't put the blame on one person. However, some of the comments I hear students say to the bus driver's are completely rude and childish. (Continued…)
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