The 477 Effect

Long ago, I wrote a blog post about the nuances of riding the 477. There are certain rules created by the passengers that you just follow. If you're new to the bus, they will point it out to you that you are new and need to be educated about the "rules". I thought that once I started using 476, it would be different. For the longest time, that was the case. In downtown Minneapolis, there was no line to get on the bus. Once the 476 rolled up to the stop, you just got on, allowing others ahead of you, etc. There was no particular line or procedure for boarding. And to the side you saw the order of the statues ready to board 477 in the most organized manner.

In the morning at the 476 station, there has always been a line, but it wasn't a big deal until this morning. There were, what appeared to be, two lines. My first impression (and I wasn't the only one), was that one line was for St. Paul and the other, Minneapolis. A gentleman and a few other women glared at me and this other gal.  The gentleman had the nerve to clearly announce that there was only one line going to Minneapolis. The gal and I just stood at the end of one line, figuring, okay, well we'll wait to board until the other line boards, no big deal. Well, he thought it was a big deal. He publicly and made sure we knew, that he was going to "insert" himself between us and the other line, so that we wouldn't "cause trouble".  What the?

Another man, who was more of a gentleman, in the other line, said "go ahead of me." He allowed both me and the other gal to go ahead of him and the others. He told me on the side that some people just don't have any manners anymore.

I have to admit, that yes, some don't. However, there are others that do, and their kindness and generosity take all that unmannered-like behavior and wash it away.

So thank you stranger, sir, for being kind and knowing that these kinds of "rules" are rather child-like and kindness is more important. And for the other gentleman and other gals, no hard feelings, but next time, if there is one line, instead of creating a mirror image, face the same direction as the rest of folks or be nicer next time and just clarify the situation.