I wished I hadnt said Hello!
By ruby222
@ruby222 (4847)
July 23, 2008 9:12am CST
Ive been to hubbys allotment this morning.He didnt go as he was busy doing something else.I had to catch the bus there and back.On the way home I was waiting at the bus stop,when a lady who looked as if she was on her way to work came to wait too.Well I like to think im polite,and it seemed the normal thing to say `Hello`..Well ten minutes later I wished I hadnt!!!..this lady told me the ins and outs of the local bus company about twenty times!!..How late they ran,how bad the service was..she was like a record player with the needle stuck!!Im wondering if I should bother passing the time of day in future!!!...have you ever got caught like this?
10 people like this
31 responses
@stcajo1 (99)
• Canada
23 Jul 08
Thats actually pretty funny. I can however see how it become annoying really fast. Sometimes these people just need to hear their own voices and sometimes they actually have no one to talk to. You might have made her day and you should feel good about that. Anyways its all over now and by smiling and nodding you might have just madfe another fellow human being feel important in their life. Its someone you will probably never see again so just go with the flow. You will forget about it in a couple hours
Thanks
Dale
@honeydew82174 (1720)
• United States
23 Jul 08
I agree with you! I think it made the woman's day! She is probably a lonely woman with no one to talk to. She also my have some disability and repeats herself and can not help it!@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
OK lol well i will give her the benefit of the doubt!but to me she was just rattling along aimlessly moaning about the bus timetables!!she wasnt disabled,she was on her way to work,and she had to meet a deadline which is a fair enough statement!But it just went on and on and on!!
2 people like this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
23 Jul 08
It's ace isn't it when that happens? I have done it so many times over the years that I have now learnt who to avoid like the plague and to always be careful who I say hello too. I have been caught many many times in this way!!
3 people like this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
I always talk because I feel its so rude not to,but there are times when you feel you wished that you had just stayed quiet!but im sure she was enjoying her moaning,but it was so boring!I tried to change the subject a few times,but lol it just didnt work!
2 people like this
@shooie (4984)
• United States
23 Jul 08
Yes and all you can do is smile and nod your head or if they aren't looking roll your eyes. Now when it was mys sisters or brother that would do this and say it over and over I would hold my hand up and start counting with one fingur then two and so on and so forth. They would go oh we told you already....lol They would do the same to me. I think we all do this once in awhile. So yes we get annoyed or wished we didn't start up a conversation or say hey to someone but hmmm I think sometimes people wish the same of us. So we learn from it and move on.
2 people like this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
Thats exactly what you do,you nod and tut and hope that all these gestures are in the right place!and im usually thinking of something very different towhat they are talking about!but the only one thing is,if they then turn to you and ask you your opinion ,and you arent too sure what they are talking about ,it can be very very tricky lolol.
@shana123 (2095)
• India
23 Jul 08
Thats really funny , you have got a good experience today here afterwards you will be quiet alert before even opening your mouth to wish hello ..lol
This happened in my live so many times but the thing is im an introvert i never open my mouth to strange people but even once i was out the same bus stand story happened actually she smiled at me so i should not be that bad so i also treated her with a smile then she started her chanting lolz yes she started complaining about the government drivers and buses and even the government.. I was afraid even to stand near her because speaking ill of government for no reason is illegal.Thank GOD i was saved from that lady that day from that day even till now i never look at any person's face too...
2 people like this
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
23 Jul 08
Well, I was reading to some other discussion somewhat like this and I have to say that I firmly believe that being good hurts sometimes. lol.. Seriously, I never have had any meetings with such people, but I have been bugged on my way back home in the bus with people asking me about the things I possess. Like I own an iPod Touch. And on the bus people look at it and ask me all the tech info as if they are going to buy it.. 
They even compared it to a local china phone as they call it. But your case beats all. It was fun reading through the discussion and I think you cannot say the same going through the journey with such a person. Well, make usre you remember her and do not bump into her anytime again.
bourne
They even compared it to a local china phone as they call it. But your case beats all. It was fun reading through the discussion and I think you cannot say the same going through the journey with such a person. Well, make usre you remember her and do not bump into her anytime again.
bourne@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
I have seen this certain lady about the town many times,so its more than likely that we will bump into each other again one day soon.If there was someone like yourself wearing an I pod,or using a walkman then there wouldnt ever be any question about interrupting them.As ive said at the time it just seemed very rude to stand there and not to acknowledge her presence.
1 person likes this
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
24 Jul 08
And us like I said, being good is not always good..
bourne
@Remembering1996 (2219)
• United States
23 Jul 08
Yes I have had this done to me and it was one particular guy at work. When I first started there I would go in the break room and sit down to enjoy my 15 minue break and one day I said hello to him. This guy told me twenty year old stories that were so boring and or had something to always complain about. I wished I had never said hello to him that day for he is so annoying. Now when I see him comeing I stick my face into a magazine and ignore him and he starts talking to everyone else who hates it as well how annoying it is though. I like to be polite though when ever possible.
2 people like this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
When you work your break is the most important thing to you!and the very last thing that you want is someone butting in and spoiling your peace!whn I was working I loved my breaks,and they were sacrosanct.If someone had inteerupted them im sure I wouldnt have appreciated it one little bit!
1 person likes this
@greenglitterturtle (2750)
• United States
23 Jul 08
i had the same problem at one job in the breakroom. one particular guy would soak up your entire break talking almost nonstop. and if he was in there before you he should leave before you right? if you can only have 15 min. but even when he was in there before me he would talk up to the time i had to leave. no rest.
2 people like this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
23 Jul 08
Hi ruby,
I was laughing when I read this...Sorry for that day..LOL! ANyway, I have tried that also many times and like you I will just regret for breaking the silence! LOL!
Anyway, there are really people who can't just stop talking, maybe they really need someone to talk with and they have no one at home!
But, in our side, it's deafening for sure! LOL!
2 people like this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
It is indeed a bit boring for the listener!but nevrmind eh..she was enjoying herself,and I just listened,plus the fact I was feeling quite tired after the morning at the allotment!!I pricked out quite a few seedlings,and the greenhouse was really hot,and then I just thought I would stay and do a little bit of weeding too!so while this lady was nattering,I was at least sitting down in the bus stop thinking about life in general.
2 people like this
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
24 Jul 08
I know what you mean. People do that to me alot. When we bought our car and was signing the paperwork the man told us a whole story about his daughter and how he wishes she was a baby again and all kind of stuff. He was nice but he was telling us all kind of stuff that we didn't need to know. lol.
1 person likes this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
24 Jul 08
Im sure that there is a tendency when we get a little nervous to whittle on ,and Im the first to admit that yes I do it!!and we go off at a tangent and then we lurc into telling all of our little family stories!!and lol the person on the receiving end must be well hacked off!
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
23 Jul 08
Oh Ruby. You'd laugh. Earlier this morning, up by the allotments, I went for my bus and do you know what there was a lady there. She said hello, well you do don't you? Anyway the bus was forever, so I thought that I'd tell her about how useless the service is now. I've ben catching the bus there for ages........
Sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me these days. I am afraid that I am the "nutter" on the bus. I travel on them so infrequently that each trip is like an adventure and I speak to everyone. Well, not if they appear to be a mad axe murderer or something. I probably do have stories like yours. But I can't remember any. I once had a fat man sit next to me on a flight from Hong Kong to Frankfurt. He slept, belched, sniffed and farted the whole way! Not too pleasant at all.
1 person likes this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
Well if I was a driver then maybe I wouldnt use them,but if Mr Ruby totters off then im on shankses pony.Yes I could walk,but the walk takes around thirty minutes ,and when you know you are going to be working at the other end it doesnt make you whoop to walk!!This time last year the little four legged friend was very able to stride out with me,and he loved the walk,but now,I have to leave him at home,he just cannot do it anymore.There are many for whom public transport is a `treat`..a funny term to use lol but you know what I mean..and when my grandaughter was here a couple of years ago I took her out on the bus..she was enthralled,she was laughing and watching everything as we went by,but it was all a novelty to her!!!her first bus outing!...PS..there wasnt anyone who farted on the bus,not that I know of anyway.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Jul 08
ruby222 hi yes often but I think the person might just be lonely and had no one to talk to , so she latched onto you and talked
your ear off. maybe your responding made her day as she had not had anyoneto talk to.I often tell people who seem new about the bus system but I do not talk on forever. Be polite as the person you listen to may be horribly lonely and you may have saved them
from t aking desparate steps to end their lonely live. You were not out anything but a little time and boredom. chalk it up to
doing a good deed for someone.
1 person likes this
@ella1bella (839)
•
24 Jul 08
As I see it there could have beeb far worse things to happen that talking to that lady at the bus stop.You kept her company,you were polite and it did you no harm.I am sure if she had realised that she was boring you with her dull conversation then she would have changed the subject.But it is always difficult to know whether to strike up any converstation with a complete stranger at the best of times.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
23 Jul 08
ruby, you made me laugh! I take the bus and sometimes when
I'm waiting there I do the same thing and boy am I ever
sorry! That has happened to me so many times! The worst thing
about it is the area you wait in is so small and there's
no place to go especially if you're sitting there. There's
only room for two people to sit so you're a captive audience,
and I do mean captive! lol
1 person likes this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
You are a captive audience,thats the only words to describe it.But when you meet in situations like that,the conversation seems to turn to the most boring of topics!the weather being number one,then work,then trying to put the world to rights!Its a totally normal way of carrying on.
@click50 (68)
• United States
24 Jul 08
I have had a lot of interesting and sometimes scarry experiences at the busstop. I think that I have an invisible sign on my my forehead that reads "Counselor in Session." Maybe it is my grandmotherly appearance but people like to tell me their problems. The lady just sounds like she feels uncomfortable standing or waiting in silence. She probably feels it would be rude of her not to speak and had nothing else to say. She chose a subject she believed you had in common.
1 person likes this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
24 Jul 08
She chose common ground,thats perfectly true,and it is funny how within minutes sometimes of meeting someone a lot of information can be relayed,ive often stood next to a complete stranger and he/she has told me quite a little life story,sometimes its been very interesting too.
@paid2write (5201)
•
23 Jul 08
I never mind if a stranger wants to chat with me but if they start going on and on about something I will try to say something to counter what they are saying.
If I had been stuck listening to that woman I may have commented that I generally find the bus services quite good and at times when traffic is heavy delays can happen, but as long as they get me to where I want to go I don't have a problem with it.
I have done something like this and it usually makes them shut up or change the subject, as some people don't like to debate they just want to give a monologue. 
1 person likes this
@ruby222 (4847)
•
23 Jul 08
Yes the idea of trying to change the conversatio is a good one,and believe you me,if I could have got a word in I may have tried it!!but the conversation was in full flow,and she wasnt going to stop!I think its a fairly common thing really,the weather was hot and humid,the bus was late and I was there to here all about her tale of woe!
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
28 Jul 08
What's even worse about these sort of people is when everything that comes out of their mouth is a moan. It makes me want to grab them by the front of the shirt and give them a good shake!!
Look at it this way though .... I reckon you did that lady a service. She probably had noone else to speak to all day as her coworkers hid when she came along LoL. Think of it as your good turn for the day :-)
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
24 Jul 08
This lady is just ranting and because you were polite she sees it as an opportunity to release it. It is good that you were polite because maybe she would have explode with all the energy that she was consuming. Yes sometimes there are persons like that and everyone has his/her own experience where someone just say something like hi and they see it as an open door to explode. Just laugh it off and thank God you have save a life. Blood pressure is not a good thing to have and to rant with it.@ruby222 (4847)
•
24 Jul 08
Yes it was just one of these things!!and im sure that she has had a good moan to many who she has stood and waited with..the min questions were..why is the bus late every single day..why is there a timetable if the buses cannot run to it..why are the fares so high...just normal everyday topics.
@Nana530 (286)
• United States
24 Jul 08
LOL I sure have ruby. I'm always doing something like that. It can drive you nuts sometimes but I always try to be patient and listen. You know, it's possible that you may be the only person to talk to her all day. Bless your heart I know it was annoying but it's kind of funny too. I can just picture it in my mind and for some reason I think of Forrest Gump. :o)
I sure hope you have a good night ruby and maybe get some rest for those ears. :o)
Nana
@ruby222 (4847)
•
24 Jul 08
Patience is a virtue,lol and luckilly I was born with it!!im a very patient person,so I was able to just stand there and listen,well..half listen and half think about something totally different!but it didnt really matter,it was just hat after a very busy morning and then stood in a bus stop.and it was very hot,the combination wasnt exactly ideal!!
@greenglitterturtle (2750)
• United States
23 Jul 08
sure have. i like to be friendly and say hi. there was a woman in the grocery store parking lot putting groceries in her car. i passed her and said hi. she responded and then i was trapped. she went on and on about how she was "gifted" the weather report said that it was going to rain. she was GIFTED and knew that it wasn't going to rain. she was always right and couldn't depend on the weather report. she went by her gift. for maybe 20 minutes it seemed so long and i was trying to get out of it politely. it was excruciating. and when i did i noticed the next day it rained.
1 person likes this
@Jerrybbb (67)
•
14 Sep 08
Always a sticky wicket there,we think we are being kind and to a great extent we are ,amd then we find ourselves a captive audience and theres no escape,and we just have to stand there and endure it all,and the record goes on and on and the needle gets stuck every now and again.,and as we politely try to edge away the ever open mouth edges nearer to us,desperate for us to stay and listen to whats on offer,so we bieng polite and civilised human beings just stand there and take it all on thr chin,and instead of just ealking away,as we inwardly feel we want to,we endure the everlasting rabbiting,all in the name of being polite.
