Comments on: Origins of the Bus Driver Wave http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/ "The story never changes, just the names and faces..." Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:02:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tim http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-1525 Tim Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:00:39 +0000 http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/#comment-1525 Once I witnessed something very special happen between two bus drivers. But first, scenario: an average road, cars parked all along one side, two buses on either end of these parked cars (I'd draw a diagram but it's 2am). I should mention here that the opposing bus was a 'learner' bus which is a whole other topic by itself. Anyhoo, so here we are, two buses, one usable lane. What do we both do? Move forwards. Shit so here we are, two buses heading towards each other (reversing is never an option) with what seems like no room for passage. My bus then does the unthinkable. It <em>mounts</em> the curb. Everyone kinda falls sideways (it was a big curb =p), I believe the general consensus at this point was 'bloody hell this guys a maniac'. So these huge gargantuans of the road pass each other by about an inch and we pootle along, everyone tutting and thinking prick, some pricking and thinking tut (McIntyre, 2008). We then come to a rival bus, what happens? Our driver pulls alongside, waves, and has a minute long conversation with him. Both buses completely blocking the road having a good old chinwag about learner drivers. This I believe was the longest exchange between busdrivers in human history. Once I witnessed something very special happen between two bus drivers.
But first, scenario: an average road, cars parked all along one side, two buses on either end of these parked cars (I’d draw a diagram but it’s 2am). I should mention here that the opposing bus was a ‘learner’ bus which is a whole other topic by itself. Anyhoo, so here we are, two buses, one usable lane. What do we both do? Move forwards. Shit so here we are, two buses heading towards each other (reversing is never an option) with what seems like no room for passage. My bus then does the unthinkable. It mounts the curb. Everyone kinda falls sideways (it was a big curb =p), I believe the general consensus at this point was ‘bloody hell this guys a maniac’.

So these huge gargantuans of the road pass each other by about an inch and we pootle along, everyone tutting and thinking prick, some pricking and thinking tut (McIntyre, 2008). We then come to a rival bus, what happens? Our driver pulls alongside, waves, and has a minute long conversation with him. Both buses completely blocking the road having a good old chinwag about learner drivers.

This I believe was the longest exchange between busdrivers in human history.

]]> By: Crimmond http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-1522 Crimmond Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:21:33 +0000 http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/#comment-1522 Don't know the details but it's VERY important. In true Darwinian fashion the non-waving bus driver lasts not 5 minutes. It's like knowing the correct protocol at the chippy. Without it you will starve. Don’t know the details but it’s VERY important. In true Darwinian fashion the non-waving bus driver lasts not 5 minutes.

It’s like knowing the correct protocol at the chippy. Without it you will starve.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-1520 Mitch Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:23:52 +0000 http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/#comment-1520 Another unwritten rule is always saying "Cheers" to the driver. If I don't say thanks it means they're really annoying *Looks at the Halton 62* Another unwritten rule is always saying “Cheers” to the driver. If I don’t say thanks it means they’re really annoying *Looks at the Halton 62*

]]> By: Danni http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-1517 Danni Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:20:35 +0000 http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/#comment-1517 The wave I can understand, sort of. It's acknowledgement that the other person is also going through the same things you are (driving a big, cumbersome vehicle, having to deal with passengers and stuff). What I don't understand is why some of the bus drivers around here blow kisses to each other... even to drivers of rival bus companies. I know I live in a rural area, but still... we're only 10 miles away from Newcastle! The wave I can understand, sort of. It’s acknowledgement that the other person is also going through the same things you are (driving a big, cumbersome vehicle, having to deal with passengers and stuff).

What I don’t understand is why some of the bus drivers around here blow kisses to each other… even to drivers of rival bus companies. I know I live in a rural area, but still… we’re only 10 miles away from Newcastle!

]]> By: Emma http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/comment-page-1/#comment-1516 Emma Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:32:04 +0000 http://www.raconteurblog.net/2009/10/origins-of-the-bus-driver-wave/#comment-1516 I've always wondered this. What always makes me laugh is on the route from Cheltenham to Gloucester, the bus drives along the double-carriageway of the A40. Most of the time there'll be another 94U coming along the opposite carriage way and whilst travelling about 60mph, the two bus drivers never fail to make 'the wave'. I’ve always wondered this.
What always makes me laugh is on the route from Cheltenham to Gloucester, the bus drives along the double-carriageway of the A40. Most of the time there’ll be another 94U coming along the opposite carriage way and whilst travelling about 60mph, the two bus drivers never fail to make ‘the wave’.

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