Public transport - different countries - do you say "thanks"?
Jun 14, 2019, 6:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
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Public transport - different countries - do you say "thanks"?
Inspired by the bumped thread on sitting up front in taxis, in different countries, do you say "hi" and "thanks" to the driver of a bus?
In NZ:
ALWAYS say thanks (considered rude not to) when alighting
SOMETIMES say hi/gidday when getting on
In NZ:
ALWAYS say thanks (considered rude not to) when alighting
SOMETIMES say hi/gidday when getting on
Jun 14, 2019, 7:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
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What a bizarre statement. Wouldn't a better title for your thread be: "When dealing with humans - do you say 'thanks'?"
Jun 14, 2019, 9:16 pm
#3
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Jun 14, 2019, 9:21 pm
#4
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This depends on the Society and the Culture where you are. Some countries it just not done ! They look at you strangely if you do / say the "civilized" society mannerisms.
Jun 14, 2019, 11:05 pm
#5
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Thank you for indulging me.
Jun 14, 2019, 11:41 pm
#6
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"Thank you" in the native language is key to know. I usually say it when getting off, even if leaving by a mid-bus exit.
Boarding, there's often a jam of people and I typically just smile/nod if the driver is looking. S/he often is not.
I'm not sure I've visited anywhere that I wouldn't considered civilized. Such a location (e.g. North Sentinel Island) probably doesn't have a public transportation system.
Boarding, there's often a jam of people and I typically just smile/nod if the driver is looking. S/he often is not.
I'm not sure I've visited anywhere that I wouldn't considered civilized. Such a location (e.g. North Sentinel Island) probably doesn't have a public transportation system.
Jun 15, 2019, 12:08 am
#7
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I’m not on a bus all that often, but in my experience, norms even vary within a country. I hear people thanking the driver often in San Francisco as they disembark, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard it in Manhattan.
I always thank taxi and ride share drivers, and I always thank bus drivers if I disembark at the front (i.e. smaller car rental shuttle). I don’t feel the need to yell across the length of a city bus if I’m getting off from the back.
I always thank taxi and ride share drivers, and I always thank bus drivers if I disembark at the front (i.e. smaller car rental shuttle). I don’t feel the need to yell across the length of a city bus if I’m getting off from the back.
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Jun 15, 2019, 6:57 am
#10
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Jun 15, 2019, 7:03 am
#11
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Really? My impression is that at least parts of Switzerland follow German norms and one would be expected to say hello and goodbye in small shops, etc. as well as thank you.
IME it's more in big east coast USA cities where one doesn't talk to strangers (except to thank taxi drivers, etc.).
IME it's more in big east coast USA cities where one doesn't talk to strangers (except to thank taxi drivers, etc.).
Jun 15, 2019, 7:28 am
#13
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It depends where in Canada and varies by city. For example, saying thank you when alighting is the etiquette in Victoria/Vancouver BC but is almost never heard in cities in Ontario and Eastern Canada.
Jun 15, 2019, 7:30 am
#14
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I think the design of the bus is also important .
I commute in the UK on a bus that only has a front door and the driver sells the ticket or check the passes when you board, I say Hi and thanks everyday I get on and off
last time I was in Zurich I bought my ticket from a machine on the platform and boarded and alighted the bus through either the middle or rear door and didn’t interact with the driver at all.
I commute in the UK on a bus that only has a front door and the driver sells the ticket or check the passes when you board, I say Hi and thanks everyday I get on and off
last time I was in Zurich I bought my ticket from a machine on the platform and boarded and alighted the bus through either the middle or rear door and didn’t interact with the driver at all.