The Argument You Cannot Win

A good bus driver should be seen and not heard. Well, I certainly don’t fall in to this category, no way. Most operators follow the golden rule of: Information gladly given but safety requires avoiding unnecessary conversation. When a passenger wants to “be right,” the best advice is to let them “win,” so I can once again reduce the distraction and move-on. If I have asked to see their transfer, and they show it in such a way that I cannot see the time or the day, I ask for the regular fare. If they become angry when they hold the transfer in my face, I say thank you, and this usually ends the drama. But there are those who must enjoy confrontation, and being right. “I am sorry, but I did not see your transfer when you first showed it to me.” By this time I am wondering why I asked for the fare in the first place, but I always check my inflection and voice to make sure I am being neutral in my tone. But even still, this has no effect, and some question me as to why I am being so rude. And this brings me to the argument you cannot win. I don’t see why they are calling me rude. I am just doing my job. And even when another passenger comes to my aid by saying that I am just doing my job, this has little effect on the drama.

If someone has a “helpful” suggestion on how to get to a destination, and they already have my answer, fine. I have learned I don’t need to argue the point. Everyone has a different pattern that works for them on how to get from point a to point b. Since Muni has so many different lines, when a question is asked about how to get somewhere, different answers come every time another person is asked. It is not that anyone is lying. It is just there are so many ways to skin a cat to get to where you want to go.

We don’t have eyes in the back of our head, and we are not mind readers. If riders cannot show me their fare before they cross the yellow line, all I am required to do is to state the fare. Usually they don’t acknowledge me at all. And I have found this is actually a good thing. It is not on me to be the policeman for the fare. We have fare inspectors for that. When I let go of judging them and trust it is not up to me to determine if they are being honest or not, my day goes much better. The less drama the better. I am a bus driver and not a stage performer on Broadway. Though I have been on Broadway for one block between Fillmore and Steiner when I am on a run on the 22 line, I usually am not on stage! Keep me in the Zen, and oh by the way, if you look over and to your left you will see Mrs. Doubtfire’s house.