Sit by a stranger for a change
Share your seat on the bus to help keep “surfers” safe
COMMENTARY
Becky Henderson

Most of us have seen “Forrest Gump.” Well, do you remember the bus scene? You know, Forrest’s first day of school. He walks down the aisle, eyeing the empty seats, but even before he can ask to sit down, the children slide their bags or themselves in the available spot.

My heart still sinks as I remember the thick Southern accents denying him access to a seat. I’ve actually had the pleasure of witnessing something just as incredible. It’s disappointing almost to a point of hilarity.

Yes, I’ll admit it, I ride the Frog Shuttle. It’s convenient because I live in Worth Hills, and it’s nice when the weather is less than satisfactory. Around the noon running times, though, it gets overcrowded, necessitating people to stand while they ride. Or does it?

A lot of people ride solo like I do because they are coming from a class and their friends aren’t finished with their classes yet. The riding pattern of a solo rider is to take a seat away from the other riders by themselves. When I board the lovely bus, I’m usually first in line and I am able to find a seat to accommodate my solo-rider complex.

However, about 80 percent of the time, people are filling the aisle, holding on to the provided rails, trying to “surf” the route from west campus, to east campus, to Worth Hills. I’ve even done it a few times and it’s a hassle trying to keep your balance. But embarrassment is sure to ensue if you fall, so you do what you have to do.

Good news. Sometimes you don’t have to.

Just because you don’t know a person’s name doesn’t mean you can’t sit by him or her and learn it. I’ve had to suppress giggles while watching a shuttle surfer struggle with balance. I almost feel guilty, but then I glance down at the empty seat next to me. I turn around to look at a few empty seats in the back, and it’s that much harder to keep from laughing. Solo riders can easily break the ice and ask others to sit down, but I’m just as shy as they are.

I guess we could blame it on Americans not being very personable or outgoing. We’re excellent communicators, but it seems we seldom find the occasion. I know when I meet a person for the first time, I usually don’t shake his or her hand. In France, it’s an unwritten rule that you shake the hand of any person you meet, when you meet him or her and as you depart from his or her company. If they know a person well, they kiss on either cheek to greet one another. Americans like to have their personal bubbles. You’re not likely to see many kissed hellos, but just because you sit next to someone doesn’t mean you to have to kiss them hello. Sometimes we should sacrifice our mild discomfort for someone’s safety.

Becky Henderson is a freshman theater major from San Antonio.