My friends and I were waiting at a bus stop after a long day of hiking at a very popular national park. Picture a typical bus stop next to a curb, with covered seating for people waiting. We were the only ones at the stop when we first got there, and sat down on one of the benches. A few minutes later, another hiking group showed up and stood in front of us closer to the curb. We didn’t think anything of it, obviously they have the right to stand where they want. However, after a few minutes, more people began showing up and started forming a line behind this group that had stood in front of us. The line began following the curbside, down to the left of where we were standing. Having used bus services many times in the past, people don’t typically form a line along the curb, but all kind of congregate around where the doors are going to open. Also, this specific bus had two doors on each end of the bus, so which door were they lining up to get on?
This bus service turned out to be VERY slow, and we waited probably about 45 minutes, and by the time the bus arrived, there were maybe 50-75 people standing in the made up line along the curb. However, when the bus pulled up, the back door lined up to the start of this line, and there was another door towards the front that nobody was at. So we walked to those doors, got on and sat down. There ended up not being enough room for everyone that had gotten into that line, and some had to wait for the next bus.
This is where it got weird. One of the gentlemen who had been waiting in that line confronted us and basically berated us for skipping the line and having the audacity to take up some of the seats on the bus while his group had to stand (there were no elderly or visibily disabled people who we would have immediately offered our seats to). I tried explaining that we were the first group waiting at the stop and just because they all chose to stand in a line by the curb, doesn’t mean we were obligated to follow. He continued scoffing at us and said something rude again as we were getting off, and it made me wonder, were we the ass in this situation?
Was it Zion? Those people are weird. NTA.
Yes 😆
I understood the frustration as the bus service was SO slow that day and everyone was tired from hiking. But it felt weird being publicly berated in front of all these people and all the dirty looks we got during the bus ride lol.
NTA. You were there before people started the line thing and I would have told him that before telling him to mind his own damn business.
NTA. You were there first and explained that. Period.
NTA. You were the first people there waiting, it’s no more complicated than that. I can understand why the guy would be mad if he didn’t know that, but once you explained the situation, that should have been the end of it.
NTA. Easy answer.
You were there first. NTA.
Nta, even if you were first, even if they didn’t know you were first, its a bus. Maybe this is my mentality from living in the city but there’s more queue. Once the doors open you cram ypurself in
NTA and it should have been obvious that you were there first based on the fact you had a spot to sit and wait in the first place.
NTA fuck him. I would have responded “mind your business”
NTA you were there first. You didn’t owe anyone your seat. You explained the situation and he was just mad that he looked dumb for trying to unnecessarily call someone out.
First come, first served. NTA.
Just wondering…. How many were in your group?
NTA either way. You guys were there first.
I wouldn’t have waited until the bus got there to say something though. Once the people stood in front of you, I would have made stupid small talk just to let them know I was already waiting. From my experience, doing that creates this silent sense of solidarity, especially once people start lining up behind them. You become a protected group and anyone jumping on before you guys is instantly the AH.
NTA at all.
Im British and we are known for our love of queues and standing on the right of the escalator.
If you got to the stop and are sat on the bench you were obviously there first and entitled to get on the first bus.
We also tend to get on buses at the door closest to the driver, midway side doors are for people getting off the bus to avoid kerfuffles between people getting on and off.
In the UK the guy berating you would have received everyone’s silent judgement for being a know it all bell end.