Since I am now car-less in DC, I have to take public transportation to get anywhere. This is fine... public transportation here is great. Generally, in the DC/metro area, the majority of people riding the bus are minorities (does that majority/minority combo just mess with your head a little? because i felt weird typing it). So often times I glance around and realize that I am the only "white" person on the bus.
The few times I have noticed another "white" person on the bus, the are ALWAYS.CRAZY. I'm not exaggerating. Today there was a dude talking to himself... or the window... or someone he thought was there?? I don't know. The other day there was this guy talking to no one... or maybe everyone ... about every topic known to man. Like how the bus stop at a certain intersection shouldnt be there because it blocks the right turn lane, or how the banks in the US will NOT fail because the gov't is actually amazing, or how my former high school is an eyesore (it is though), and then he would announce every bus stop by street name --- you know, just in case you cant read the electronic sign at the front of the bus. And then there is my favorite guy - who I have seen numerous times -- who insists on trying to shake hands with everyone who gets on the bus... and then tries to shake hands with people as he gets off the bus. This creates some interesting reactions - surprise, disgust, fear, laughter. It's amusing to watch.
The point is: all these guys are "white" on a bus full of minorities (and me). Makes me wonder if I should take on some weird tic to fit in with the "crazy white person on the bus" stereotype.
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What about a sudden shudder attack. You can get on, look all sweet and cute and then suddenly shudder for about 20 seconds while emitting a strangely high pitched noise. Then stop.
ReplyDeleteit's especially funny that he announces the stops because in DC the busses talk. Stop requested. !6th street and florida avenue. Or is that just the S busses that run north-south?
ReplyDeletethe people (of them, mostly white because that's the demographic) on the bus in Portland were just all around nuts. Fun, but still worrisome.
Hope you get more good news soon!
Sara - I think that someone already took that tic ... there are A LOT of strange white people in DC. :o)
ReplyDeleteEileen - These observations are all from the Z busses. I think the voice announcements are busted on them though. But it wasn't even like he was reading the sign at the front of the bus (he announced "4 corners" instead of "University Blvd"), he just had memorized every stop that bus makes.
I just try to sit next to the latino blasting reggaeton out of his headphones and hope everyone notices that I am white and not crazy.
Still waiting for the good news... But I think everything will work out in time..