To the driver of the Number Eight bus, Saturday, 5:18pm
by Jay Stevens
To the driver of the Number Eight bus on Saturday, 5:18pm:
When you see a man with his small daughter and a large bagful of books standing at a bus stop, it is customary for you to stop for them, especially if they are both gesticulating frantically, pointing at you.
When you ask a question to them, remember, they cannot hear you if the door is shut. Even pointing vaguely in a direction does not make your question audible. And if they nod in response to your question, assume they want to get on the bus.
If you’re unsure, stop, open the door, and ask your question. Remember, you drive the last bus of the day. After you, there is no bus. And there’s no telling how far the man and his 3-year-old daughter will have to walk if you ask a question, point vaguely in a direction, then drive away after the man nods, jumps up and down, and points at you. It could be he lives clear on the other side of town.
It could also be that if you drive away, the man will exhibit some unfatherly behavior, such as jumping into the street, yelling, making hand gestures and using words his daughter will later ask him the meaning of as they trudge home across town, because of you.
Sincerely yours,
Jay Stevens
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August 26, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Did you get the number of the bus? No matter, Mountain Line can still find out who the driver was when you go down there to register a complaint first thing tomorrow morning. (hint hint)
August 26, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Eh, I don’t think he maliciously drove past, just wasn’t thinking too clearly. If I thought it was malicious, there’d be a complaint, plus some phone calls made. I’m just hoping for a little public humiliation…
August 26, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Jay,
Email the above post to this link:
http://www.mountainline.com/your_comments.htm
From what I know of Mountain Line, they’ll be glad to hear from you.
August 27, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Jay, normal men don’t walk around town carrying a bag of books and holding a 3 year-old girl’s hand. If I was that bus driver I wouldn’t have let you on either.
August 27, 2007 at 6:51 pm
?
CBT — are you serious?
?
What planet are you from?
I’m curious what you think “normal” men do.
August 27, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Gee, based on recent events, I’d say conservative men think “normal” men do their “normal” thing in public bathrooms.
August 27, 2007 at 10:14 pm
reel min dont reed buks.
August 28, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Isn’t that a little strange? That I write an apolitical story about a trip to the library with my daughter, and folks can’t resist the personal attacks?
BTW, trolls and potential trolls, I have a zero tolerance policy towards personal attacks, esp. on my family.
August 28, 2007 at 2:48 pm
You did understand my point, Jay?
August 28, 2007 at 3:01 pm
“I’m curious what you think ‘normal’ men do.”
I bet you’re curious, Jay.
“Gee, based on recent events, I’d say conservative men think ‘normal’ men do their ‘normal’ thing in public bathrooms.”
If you want to make a homophobic statement, Jay, just say it right out.
PS: About your “zero tolerance policy”: It is to late to get all huffy and indignant, Jay. You were the one who injected your personal life and your family into a public blog.
August 28, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Lots of blogs out there about personal life and family. I haven’t seen one that makes me think it’s an invitation to be a jerk.
I’m not going to define what a normal man might be, but certainly carrying a bag of books and holding a daughters hand wouldn’t be outside the norm for a literate father.
August 28, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Noodly, I did get your point! I was just mulling the weird reaction from some others to the post…like CBT.
BTW, CBT I don’t care what people do in the privacy of their own homes. But I do have a problem with people soliciting sex and giving out blowjobs in public bathrooms, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.
Still curious on what you think “normal” men do, CBT. Beat their kids?