Perhaps she doesn't like crowded buses. Perhaps she had a headache, and preferred to wait for the next bus rather than sit near children - even the loveliest of whom can be very noisy. Perhaps she just remembered that she'd forgotten to pick up some butter.
I just don't understand how going into a shop can be considered an offensive act.
"Yes"
* Old lady walks away thinking that it is a pity that the young family wouldn't have time to join her in the 80% off sale that was just about to start.
Seems pretty clear to me.
I have to say, even as a parent myself, I still make an effort to sit away from loads of kids, especially after a hard day in the office or a crap night's sleep. The last thing I want is a cacophony of gobby kids bouncing around me. I don't do this to cause offence, just to preserve my sanity and to prevent my ears bleeding.
After being a mom here, and certain offensive actions that have left me quickly readjusting my list and my reactions to them, I understand what Lena wrote about, though I wouldn't have that phase me at all.
I do not think elderly or moms with kids should have to avoid eachother, to be honest, in order to coexist. I got a report from my dear friend last night about a neighbor who sprays her and her two kids under 4 from a balcony purposely with insecticide and commenting on her unruly kids at the same time, amongst other offensive actions. And no, it is not an accident, happens far too often and the neighbor is very explicit about it in her commentary. Mind you, my friend has very lovely and well behaved kids (she is a teacher so little over done her parenting/pedagogical influence).
But do you actually ask people in order to efficiently avoid them? "which seat will you sit on so I can stay as far as possible?"
A) you can on the spot tell him to relax and calm down
B) you can try to be diplomatic
C) you SHOULD write to the management of the company in question. A driver who out of a minimal "incident" gets into a fit of rage may be a danger to the security of the public, as he may make a mistake deadly for many
I a few months ago, when there was such an "incident", told the bus-driver "please relax and calm down" and then, ignoring the driver calmed down the other person. Matter solved, at least as well as possible.
The poor teachers were totally exhausted and disappointed about some of the kids behaviour (who had signed a non alcohol and good behaviour pledge prior the trip) - and sadly are not likely to volunteer for another- but this is another story.
Now this has nothing to do with THIS case- but as true as there are grumpy old people, and grumpy drivers- there are also, some, sadly, parents who allow their kids to run riot and behave very badly in public spaces, without any attempt to rein them in- most of us will agree.
NO excuse whatsoever- but perhaps he'd had several that day + a couple of schools on trips, etc- and he was just at the end of his tether (shouldn't have been, I know, but). As parents we tried to keep our kids under control and I know my kids and younger friends also do this now with their own kids. If a child has ADHT, autism or other difficulty, then the reality is very different.
There are times when the person is just plain rude and there's nothing you can do about it.
This is not a Swiss problem. This is a personality problem that can happen anywhere.
"Are you catching this train?", I asked. They were.
Just my luck, the only seat I could find was in the middle of the group.
It was terrible. The shouting was so loud and the beating... I suppose she had a point though. I'd only popped to the station for some milk. She wasn't at all pleased when I got back in two days later covered in lipstick and cheap perfume. And I'd forgotten the milk.
Yes, there are things that one can do: if the person does not want to reason, formally file a complaint, of course on a very polite way. The hard bargain culture does no good to the swiss internal commerce and touristic structures. For sure there are shops and services which have excellent customer care in this country, but unfortunately most are found on the luxury niche of the market.
There is way much more that can be done in this country regarding customer service and channels to provide feedback from customers, from which commerce and tourism would benefit. No need to intensive courses on customer care for all the staff in a shop, but simple mechanisms like having complaints books everywhere would cool down offended customers and partially deter people working for the public from unacceptable attitudes. Even plain rude people do review their attitude when a number of complaints from customers show to management that they have too many "bad day, but just today".
Regarding the particular case of the driver yelling at the child: accepting an offense against a child just because the driver could have a bad day is wrong-wrong. Wrong for the train company, because the driver might repeat the abuse in the future and go on offering a poor service that is surely not desired, and wrong for the child, who will learn that abuse is sometimes acceptable without consequences.
As for the current situation, I too came to the conclusion that it was just one guy having a crappy day for whatever reason. We are enjoying the rest of our holiday and I have no intention to prolong the annoyance by sitting down to pen a complaint letter, but may reconsider once we are back home.
Thanks again to everyone - this virtual moaning session has been incredibly therapeutic ...
I then got onto the bus via the front doors in order to pay the driver. BIG mistake. I had my purse in my hand to pay him and said the name of my stop, whereupon the driver proceeded to go absolutely berserk, shouting loudly, waving his arms around and pointing animatedly at something I could not see. A helpful woman sitting near the front then informed me that I needed to buy a ticket. So, I legged it over to the ticket machine and just as I was getting back to the bus the driver drove off at speed, as a couple were also about to get on via the middle doors.
I have to say that this incident spoilt, what had been up until then, a lovely day.
Buses in Malta (where you live I believe) are amazing hey! 1950's old Leyland, colourful with fabulous chrome grills/bonnet. Old leather seats and absolutely NO suspension left - fantastic. And so cheap, about 50Cts to cross the whole Island. Loved it. But don't expect them to be on time, they'll turn up when they are good an ready.
Don't let this twit (vowel change optional) spoil this wonderful autumn weather. Coming to Morges on Saturday to meet us all at the Veteran car rally and cheese party?