Thursday, July 12, 2012
"You choose to ride the bus?!"
Posted by Ashley Kimmel on Thu, Jul 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM
This is part of a series of stories by Kimmel, who's given up her car and is relying primarily on public transit.
I was waiting for the bus with an older woman and as I turned to her and smiled, she asked me "You riding the bus? You don't look like you ride the bus. Is your car broke down?"
Whoa.
Three sentences, and yet she says so much. Think about it.
"You don't look like you ride the bus." I really wasn't sure how to take that comment, but I laughed and the conversation rolled on.
"You mean you chose to get rid of your car?!?!"
"Well, yeah."
"WHY?!"
"Lots of reasons... money, advocacy, environmental... "
"Environmental??"
"Yes ma'am."
"Advocacy, you said?"
"Well, yeah. Mostly."
"I am dying for a car. In fact, I am on my way to an interview now so I can afford to buy one. I have three kids who I have to drag along with me. I would do anything for a car. And you got rid of yours??"
"Haha (awkward and uncomfortable... ), uhhh yeah."
"By choice???"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well I'll be damned. Hmmmm."
The bus pulled up, we climbed aboard and went about our days.
I can only imagine what was in her head to make her so shocked at my choice to ride the bus. In her head, I imagine that the conversation went something like this:
"I can't believe this girl actually rides the bus. She must have a reason. Maybe she is trying to save money or something. She is dressed nicely, looks like she has money, can definitely afford a car, why the hell is she riding the bus??"
"Blah blah blah."
"Environmental?? What does that even MEAN?! Some privileged young girl, thinking she can save the world."
"Yes ma'am."
"Advocacy?? Somehow you think that you can come in here and start advocating for a better bus system? I have been riding the bus all my life... with 3 kids... and now you think it's time for a better bus system?"
"Well, yeah. I think I can save the world."
"Girl, you are crazy!"
"Choosing to ride the bus is cool and hip."
"By choice, huh?"
"Of course."
"Well, I'll be damned."
I'd love to know what she thought as we parted ways. Maybe I'm way off, but somehow she has put this lifestyle even further into perspective for me. I love being humbled by people who don't even mean to offer me a reason for so much humility...
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