My Gen Y Life

If you’re like me, you’ve felt the wallet crunch as the gas prices have reached historic highs. I work in the city so parking is not cheap. I’m not ready to give up my SUV for a squash-able Mini Cooper or spacecraft-looking Toyota Prius either, so I take public transportation to work instead – which is virtually FREE, thanks to my employer’s “environmental” benefits.

So here’s what I’ve learned in the last few  years of riding buses, vanpools, and subways –

Learn the ropes quickly. Be ready when the bus/van/subway comes to your stop. If you need to, have correct change or your pass in hand and get on as quickly as you can. Everyone has a place to go and when you are slow, you slow everyone else down. If you have a question, get on and ask it after you sit down. Also be ready for your stop when it comes up, and don’t whine if you miss it because you weren’t paying attention.

Leave as much space as possible. At least in America , we like our space. Generally riders fill up every other seat until it gets too crowded (with people typically preferring the seats in the front or closest to the doors over the backseats). Don’t sit directly next to someone unless you intend to chat (quietly) with them or if there’s absolutely no more seats. I would even take an empty handicap/senior seat before sitting next to someone to avoid the grunts (especially on a bus). If you got on early and someone is coming to sit next to you, politely lift your bags off of the seat next to you and don’t be a seat hog (unless you have really good reason you don’t want that person sitting next to you).

Remember to have 6-inch voices. Nobody wants to hear about your brother’s wife’s friend who has a knitting business or listen to you gripe about how much you have to do for your inept mother-in-law.  Keep the drama to yourself. Even if the person next to you is interested, it’s not likely the rest of the people on board are.

Bring something to listen to or read so you don’t have to stare at people. It makes people feel really awkward when you’re staring in their direction and it’s not clear what you’re staring at. If you must stare, look outside the window closest to you or put your head down.

Leave the driving to the driver. One of the best things about “riding” is that you don’t have to drive. Forget about the traffic and enjoy the ride (literally). The last thing the driver needs is a dozen backseat drivers giving – or yelling - out their suggestions. Public transportation drivers usually have set routes and set detours, and they are paid to be safe drivers. If they need your help, they will ask.

Do you have any to add?

Some people take the subway, some ride the bus, selfish people drive alone, and I ride the vanpool. It’s like a cross between a carpool and a bus. You get the benefits of being able to call when you’re late (or if they’re late) but you don’t have to deal with the drama of a one-on-one carpool, or so I thought…

Everything was going fine until DQ (drama queen) showed up a few months ago. You know those kind of people too – they look for drama and thrive on drama every day. They complain about petty things and make comments to try and get reactions from people, and get nosy about other people’s business. These people are not allowed in my friend circle (unless you’re my sister and I don’t have a choice) because they cause more harm than harmony. Don’t get me wrong, I can get along with them, but it’s not my choice of company. Unfortunately even as a professional you may still have to deal with a DQ every now and then.

Here’s what I’ve learned about how to deal with the DQ’s in your life:

Don’t join the pity party – Misery loves company, and so do DQ’s. If you have a friend who is complaining and whining about something don’t be afraid to stand up to them if you disagree, and by all means don't encourage it. Beware because DQ’s can be very persuasive and believable.

Take the high road – DQ’s have probably been this way since high school or earlier, and somehow not outgrown the fetish with drama in their lives. Act like the professional you are and don’t make a big deal about things that aren’t really a big deal, even if DQ thinks they are.

Nice guys finish last – If you’re lucky the DQ will become bored with the drama-free life you live and move on, but if not be a nice person and follow the above steps and you’ll be rewarded in the end. You might also call this “flying below the radar” so you’re not noticed too much by DQ, and therefore their attention will be given to other people.

Update: DQ left the vanpool because she didn’t get to sit in the front as much as she wanted – lame!