PurpAnd

I tend to sit in the middle rows near the window. I like this for two reasons: I am near the exit door, and I can control air flow. As buses make me uncomfortable, I make solid attempts at landing one of these seats (there are usually three or four like this). In the event that I cannot obtain a prime spot, I look to the rear of the bus. The two back corner seats are my next favorite because I can open the rear windows as wide as I’d like and not be concerned about blasting someone behind me with air. The downside to these seats is they are furthest from an exit, so I better not expect to get out very soon.

The worst seat to get, in my opinion, is the middle seat on the middle-facing rows at the rear of the bus. There are typically five chairs on both sides that face each other. Being in the middle = no room. Plus, you gotta stare at someone’s ugly mug, unless you’ve got a book to read or earphones to put in. I usually just close my eyes and try to relax.

Given I am so picky about my bus seat, I try to get to the bus stop in time to be one of the first riders. Other people have their favorite spots, and it works out just fine if I am one of the first seven or eight people on the bus, I can get the seat I want.

Lately, I have noticed that when I am in my seat, in the middle near the exit with the window open, I am often the last or nearly the last person to get paired up. This I cannot understand.

I’ve gone through a laundry list of things that could be the cause, but I am no nearer an answer. I thought maybe I smell. But I shower every day and compared to a lot of the people in SF, I must smell like a meadow. Then I thought, well maybe it’s because I have poor body language. So I tried sitting up and smiling (not freakish smiling, but just enough of a happy face that I don’t look constipated). This was no help. And most recently, I thought it was because I am just generally not a very friendly or ’safe’ looking person. This was immediately dismissed, I know I don’t scare people that way.

Now, I think it may be that people can tell that I am uncomfortable on buses. So what I am going to do is just sit in my chair, loungin, and see if I get a pair. (And not the usual elderly man either, who has already realized I am not a threat. Don’t know his name, but we are pals). I’ll report how this goes. My guess is that it won’t make a difference and I will still remain unpaired on the bus. Leaving me to the only other logical conclusion… people feel I am superior and want to give me space.

If you’d like to explain to me other possible reasons why I am ‘avoided’ on the bus, feel free to leave a comment.