Awful bus ride

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read the post below 10 times and see if you can make a connection between that and her saying he didn't understand English.

pointed to the metro, and the bus stop we just passed and said stop, stop! He stops a block past it.

conveniently omitted something?

zumbamama wrote:...I pointed to the metro, and the bus stop we just passed and said stop, stop! He stops a block past it. Still on his cell phone....

but you can have the last words. i'm done pointing out the obvious to you lawyers or lawyer wannabes. spin it anyway you want.

What? You have to be a lawyer or lawyer wannabe to have an opinion on what she meant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't English be part of his job requirement? For safety reasons, if nothing else? Isn't this common sense?

Oh, forgot where I was....

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if English proficiency is a requirement to operate a bus. I know that you do not have to speak a lick of english to obtain a driver's license or a commercial driver's license. I think when they are seeking qualified operators the only criteria is non-criminal convictions and a valid CDL.

Yup, English is not required to get a drivers license in some places (have seen applications and tests printed in Spanish and Korean). But I would also guess metro bus drivers have to be able to read, speak and understand English so they can read street signs and understand and reply to customers and dispatchers. The driver was probably preoccupied with his cell phone conversation so he missed picking up OP and dropping her off at her station.

[zumbamama]

Wow. I'm a racist now? I assumed he could not speak English because although he was distracted on the cell, he did look up the times I spoke to him. He knew that I spoke to him. He didn't answer and he didn't appear to understand what I was saying. The fact that he could not pull over at a bus stop was also an indication that he could not read the bus stop sign.

Forgive me, but should you not be able to read "STOP" and "BUS STOP" and street names if you drive a bus? Should you be able to answer passengers' questions? Should know the law about cell phones? If I were to go to Japan and get a job as a driver, do you think I should learn Japanese and learn Japanese driving laws?

Half my relatives don't speak English. A handful of my students don't speak English. I help out Spanish speakers everyday asking me for directions (although that was not the language the driver spoke). I have no problem with foreign languages. I grew up in a trilingual family and have every color of the rainbow in my tree. I still think bus drivers should know minimal English so they can, you know, read signs, answer questions and know what is required of them to do their job. But if you prefer drivers like the one I encountered, then by all means, go take the H St. shuttle and tell him what a great job he's doing.

[Anonymous]

You tell 'em, Zumba!

[Anonymous]

zumbamama wrote: But if you prefer drivers like the one I encountered, then by all means, go take the H St. shuttle and tell him what a great job he's doing.

Not that he'd be able to understand it was a compliment. Though I suspect if someone praised him he would suddenly be fluent.

[Anonymous]

No kidding. HOW stupid are these people, anyway? "Oh no, I have to turn everything into a PC argument, because it's D.C. and I'm so f*'in naive....."

[Anonymous]

zumbamama wrote:Wow. I'm a racist now? I assumed he could not speak English because although he was distracted on the cell, he did look up the times I spoke to him. He knew that I spoke to him. He didn't answer and he didn't appear to understand what I was saying. The fact that he could not pull over at a bus stop was also an indication that he could not read the bus stop sign.

Forgive me, but should you not be able to read "STOP" and "BUS STOP" and street names if you drive a bus? Should you be able to answer passengers' questions? Should know the law about cell phones? If I were to go to Japan and get a job as a driver, do you think I should learn Japanese and learn Japanese driving laws?

Half my relatives don't speak English. A handful of my students don't speak English. I help out Spanish speakers everyday asking me for directions (although that was not the language the driver spoke). I have no problem with foreign languages. I grew up in a trilingual family and have every color of the rainbow in my tree. I still think bus drivers should know minimal English so they can, you know, read signs, answer questions and know what is required of them to do their job. But if you prefer drivers like the one I encountered, then by all means, go take the H St. shuttle and tell him what a great job he's doing.

no, maybe you aren't a racist. but you ARE annoying zumbamamma. and yes, the driver should be reported.

[Anonymous]

this is a ridiculous dcum pile on and the posters who are commenting that zumbamama is annoying are childish and rude.

[zumbamama]

Yes, well you can't get too worked up about annoying someone. People get annoyed at yoga pants, shoes, names, new moms asking advice....just about everything. If I annoy you so, you are most welcome to not click on my post.

[Anonymous]

zumbamama wrote:Yes, well you can't get too worked up about annoying someone. People get annoyed at yoga pants, shoes, names, new moms asking advice....just about everything. If I annoy you so, you are most welcome to not click on my post.

I think you are cool. And have guts to be one of the few non-anonymous posters. Few here (including me) can say the same.

[Anonymous]

zumbamama wrote:Wow. I'm a racist now? I assumed he could not speak English because although he was distracted on the cell, he did look up the times I spoke to him. He knew that I spoke to him. He didn't answer and he didn't appear to understand what I was saying. The fact that he could not pull over at a bus stop was also an indication that he could not read the bus stop sign.

Forgive me, but should you not be able to read "STOP" and "BUS STOP" and street names if you drive a bus? Should you be able to answer passengers' questions? Should know the law about cell phones? If I were to go to Japan and get a job as a driver, do you think I should learn Japanese and learn Japanese driving laws?

Half my relatives don't speak English. A handful of my students don't speak English. I help out Spanish speakers everyday asking me for directions (although that was not the language the driver spoke). I have no problem with foreign languages. I grew up in a trilingual family and have every color of the rainbow in my tree. I still think bus drivers should know minimal English so they can, you know, read signs, answer questions and know what is required of them to do their job. But if you prefer drivers like the one I encountered, then by all means, go take the H St. shuttle and tell him what a great job he's doing.

He probably knew what you were saying but was ignoring you or pretending not to understand you. He was probably pissed that he had to pick up after missing you in the first place!

[zumbamama]

TY PP, but I do post anonymously on highly personal things, politics or when I'm too lazy to sign in and just want to read. And I'm not gutsy enough to post under my name in the sex forum!

[Anonymous]

The man was NOT doing his job. I forgot, this is D.C., no one would notice.

[Anonymous]

I'm disturbed by the crappy service Zumba received on that bus but even more troubled by the DCUM pile-on. Ladies-- really!

[Anonymous]

no, maybe you aren't a racist. but you ARE annoying zumbamamma. and yes, the driver should be reported.


NO, You are far more annoying. Now that zumbamamma has debunked your accusations, you become personal. How ugly is that.