While taking the bus several times this week, I have made an observation. I think you can tell how “normal” you are based on seating arrangements. This is especially true if you start out sitting on a relatively empty bus.

Think about it. When you get on a bus, you usually take a seat that is not directly next to anyone else, whenever possible (This of course doesn’t apply if you’re traveling with friends. You’d probably sit right next to your group). People always leave a space between seats, or go sit in an empty row. My theory comes into play when no more “safe” seats are available.

When you are forced to sit directly next to someone, you take a seat next to the person who looks the most normal, right? You sit next to the cute one, the nicely dressed one, or the one with all his/her teeth who isn’t mumbling to him/herself. Basically, you sit next to the ones who don’t creep you out. So my theory is that if no one sits next to you until you’re the absolute last option, then you just might come across as a little “off.”

This isn’t a hard and fast rule, of course, because it is dependent on many factors like where you are sitting, when the other person will be getting off the bus, etc. But it does seem like, given the option between a non-descript person and one who looks a little dodgier that people usually go for the safe bet.

And I don’t know why, but I sometimes find it comforting when people choose to sit next to me before some of the other normal looking people—unless of course they are creepy themselves…

Posted at 10:32 AM |

I guess it’s a good thing I don’t live in LA then! I have been on an LA bus though, and it was kinda scary!

3 | Posted by: Jennifer on October 07, 2004 @ 8:49 PM

Yea I’ve usually gotten on at the first stops too—which means I get to sit the whole time, and by myself for part of it.

Maybe there should be a rule—creepy people aren’t allowed to sit with us “normal” folk! :)

5 | Posted by: Jennifer on October 08, 2004 @ 8:26 AM