Choosing a Seat on the Bus
Key Vocabulary
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| stranger | a person you do not know | On a bus, you often sit near strangers. |
| aisle | the open way between seats on a bus | A seat by the aisle helps you stand up. |
| crowded | full of people, with little open room | When the bus is crowded, bags must move. |
| empty | with no person sitting there | People leave empty seats between them. |
| bag | something you carry, often put on a seat | Some people put a bag on the seat by them. |
Article
You get on a bus with many empty seats. You look left and right. Then you sit down.
On a bus, strangers sit close together. Most people want a little room. Sitting down is a quiet way to feel good. [1]
Many people like a window seat. The window gives you something to look at. It can feel like your own place. A seat by the aisle helps you stand up soon. Some people sit near the door. [1]
If the bus is not full, people often sit away from other people. They leave empty seats between them. The empty seat is a small wall. [1]
Some people put a bag on the seat by them. The bag says this seat is not free. Other people look at a phone. These things can stop a stranger. [2]
When the bus is crowded, the rules change. Soon there are no empty seats. Bags must move. [2]
In a quiet town, empty seats may stay empty. In a busy city, you may share a seat sooner. [1]
When you sit on a bus, look at what you do first. A bus ride can show how people share a seat.
Discussion Questions
- Where do you usually sit on a bus? Why?
- Do you put a bag on the seat by you?
- Do you like a window seat or a seat by the aisle?
- Where you live, do people leave empty seats between strangers?
- Do you like more room or a talk with people on a bus?
References
- Andrew Evans, "The Social Environment of Public Transport" (Victoria University of Wellington), on seat choice, distance, and window preference.
- Jennifer Kaylin, Yale Alumni Magazine, "Guarding Your Personal Bus Space," summarizing Esther Kim's research on avoiding seatmates.