Bus Etiquette
After eight months in the country, using public transportation more days than not, I have observed and learned some unspoken rules of bus etiquette. These rules probably vary depending on the city, but here is what I have learned in the cities I have lived in.
Flagging down a bus:
The most reliable place to catch a bus is a marked bus stop. However, if you are on a non-major street, a bus will usually stop for you at the end of any block, and occasionally in the middle of a block. To flag down a bus, all you need to do is extend your right arm while looking at the bus expectantly. Some people flag down a bus with their index finger extended (as if they were pointing across the street), while others extend all four fingers. This technique is not important, except that some styles of flagging down a bus look sillier than others.
For example, a full two seconds is usually sufficient to get a bus driver's attention. He is looking to make money, and if he sees some likely subject, he will sometimes slow down, even if no one is flagging him down. If it is a large bus stop, he may even stop without being asked. If you hold out your arm for more than five seconds, you are in danger of looking a bit awkward. If you do retrieve your hand too soon and the bus driver does not seem to be slowing, it is permissible to re-extend your arm, just to make sure.
Getting on the bus:
Many buses have signs painted above the doors that say you should get on at the front and get off at the back. These signs are generally to be ignored, as most people get on at the front and get off either at the front or the back. Once in a while, though, there is a bus driver that will make people go to the back to get off, and it usually causes a confused reaction. If you are in the front of a bus with people standing all through the aisles and you need to get off, it is only logical that you would get off at the front. For this reason, you may have to wait for someone or several someones to get off before you get on.
Paying the fare:
When you first get on the bus, you will pay the bus driver the expected fare. If the bus is not full, it is allowable to sit down somewhere in the first few rows and then get up and pay after you have dug out your change. You can also dig out your change while standing at the front of the bus, but it is better to have your fare ready, because you may run the risk of blocking the way for others to get on. It is better to pay in coins, though bus drivers will generally accept 20 or 50 peso bills if it is not too early in the morning. You may have to wait for your change until he has a free moment to count it out, and he is probably hoping you will forget and get off before he gives you the change.
If you are a clueless-looking white girl, the bus driver may attempt to charge you more than the standard fare, but this is not common.
Choosing a seat:
Most bus etiquette applies more to when a bus is getting full. When choosing a seat on a nearly-full bus, there is an order of preference. If it is sunny out, you may try to sit on the less sunny side of the bus. This will test your knowledge of the twists and turns of the bus route. If there is an empty row, you will generally choose that first. If you would prefer to sit alone, you will sit in the aisle seat. If you don't care, you will take the window seat. If there are no empty rows, the choice is more complicated.
You will generally choose an aisle seat over a window seat, because this will not require anyone to move to let you in. If you are a female, the most proper choice is a seat next to another female, and vice-versa. However, if all the seats next to persons of your same gender are window seats, and there is an aisle seat next to someone of the opposite gender, it is permissable to take that seat.
If you are seated in an aisle seat and someone wants to sit in your row with you, you have two choices. Either you will move over and give them your aisle seat, or you will stand up and allow them to get to the window seat. If you know that you are going a long ways and think that they will probably get off again before you do, it is better to give them the aisle seat. However, if you know that you are getting off soon, it is more appropriate to keep the aisle seat. If it is sunnier in the window seat than the aisle seat, you may also choose to keep your aisle seat.
Once in a while, if you are a cute white girl, a guy will decide it's a good idea to sit in the window seat next to you, even when there are empty rows behind you, but this is not very common. It is especially funny if he is a student at least five years younger than you. If you happen to let him sit next to you, it is permissible to change seats at the first opportunity.
Giving up your seat:
If there are no empty seats and an older woman, a woman carrying an infant, or an obviously pregnant woman gets on, it is common courtesy to give them your seat near the front, especially if you are a young man. I have seen buses with little signs near the front seat that look like a handicapped parking sign, except that they picture a little woman with a large belly.
Once in a while, if you are a cute white girl and you are standing on a bus, a guy will decide this would be a good opportunity to practice his English and offer you his seat, but this is not very common.
Standing on a bus:
If you are standing on a very full bus, the bus driver may periodically encourage passengers to move as far toward the back as possible, to allow more passengers to get on. If a seat opens up, the person standing nearest to the open seat has first dibs. If they do not take it, you may request them to allow you through so that you can sit there. If you are sitting and your companion is standing, you should offer to hold their bag or purse for them.
Getting on a bus with luggage:
When using public transportation, the less baggage the better. There is always the danger of something getting lost or stolen. If you must bring luggage on a bus, it should not be more than you can easily manage by yourself, such as a large backpack or small duffel bag. Preferrably your baggage will fit on your lap. This is especially important during peak times of day. Never try to board a standing-room-only bus with luggage that requires more than one hand. If you have more than two small pieces of luggage, that is too much for a bus.
When you board a bus with luggage, it is best to sit near the back. That way, if the bus fills up, you will not be taking up extra space in the aisles where people are trying to get through. It will also be easier to get off the bus at the back, without others trying to get on and squeeze by your luggage at the same time.
When you are carrying odd-shaped baggage, use caution in riding the bus. A Mexican lady I know accidentally hit her bus driver in the head with a mop handle while boarding the bus.
Bus vendors:
From time to time, your bus driver may allow vendors to get on the bus selling various small items. Musicians and clowns may also perform, hoping for a tip. If you appreciate the entertainment, you may tip them, but it is not required. Some vendors will get on the bus and give a small speech while passing out candy to everyone on the bus. They are usually promoting some special cause. Do not eat the candy, because you will be required to pay for it later. After they have passed out the candy to everyone on the bus, they will come and collect it again from everyone who does not want to pay however much they are asking. This is a very tricky way of selling candy.
Getting off the bus:
When it is time to get off the bus, you need to have precise timing so as not to confuse the driver. Stand up approximately one block before your desired stop. If you are approaching a turn, it is best to get off the block before the turn, because bus drivers to not generally like to stop right at the street they are going to turn on. If you are sitting near the front of the bus you may make your way to the front and tell the bus driver where you would like to get off. If you stand by the door, he will probably stop without you saying anything. If you are not near the front, go to the back of the bus and push the buzzer. The bus driver will let you off at the next stop. It is best to exit very quickly, and I advise jumping down as soon as the bus is nearly stopped, because it will not be stopped for long.
Other tips:
It is perfectly permissible to talk on your cell phone, read, eat, apply make-up, or make out with your boyfriend on the bus. Some activities may be more dangerous than others.
