Kiwi Courtesy

I get the bus to work and back, probably 3 days out of 5 a week (the other days I might cycle).

Something I've noticed though, which differs from the experience of getting buses in the UK where I grew up, is that people thank the driver when they get off.

Initially I just thought it somewhat amusing, as if they perhaps thought they had to thank the driver lest he be angered at a lack of gratitude.

Now I think its simple courtesy, nothing else. Its just recognition of someone performing a service which you benefit from - sure, you pay at the door, that pays for the service to operate, but don't forget the bus company aren't obliged to offer the service. They could always go off and do something more profitable, couldn't they.

Perhaps it also explains why bus drivers here actually don't mind stopping for people who are either running for the bus, or even flag it down between stops. That's just about unheard of back home.