Published Jan 5, 2009
abbaking
441 Posts
Ok. I take public transportation to work. No biggy. I have a co-worker of mine who likes to tell the staff that i don't drive and take the light rail/bus. Its not a big issue but I find his manner sort of rude and intrusive.
Any suggestions?
Altra, BSN, RN
6,255 Posts
It sounds rude/intrusive.
Ask him, in the same public forum, how much he spends on gas each month.
RNMom2010
454 Posts
You are lucky to have good public transportation available to you! It saves you money in fuel and could even save a person from having a car payment! Thats a lot of extra cash at the end of the month!
sunray12
637 Posts
No biggie. I car pool a lot so I've worked with people over the years who think I don't drive. (Actually I live in exurbia so I drive too much!) A coworker friend of mine never rode metro in her life - and she was born and raised in the city. She told me her mother told her ladies don't ride metro. I assured her we can and do. :) I wasn't insulted though.
teeniebert, LPN
563 Posts
Co-worker: "You take the BUS to work!"
abbaking: "...and...?"
You might find out why your co-worker thinks it's a big deal, or you might get a funny look.
When I rode the bus regularly it was for 3 reasons:
1. It helped me get over my habit of sitting down to read the paper/watch TV/check e-mail for "just a few minutes" in the morning, because I had to be ready to catch the bus at 7:03, no exceptions.
2. Since I didn't have to pay attention to the road, I had 25 minutes of "me time" each morning and evening that I could use to review yesterday's class notes or read a novel or just look out the window and enjoy the sunrise.
3. No hunting for a parking spot!
NursingAgainstdaOdds
450 Posts
I would LOVE to take public transportation to work. I hate driving. I used to take the bus to work, and I loved the time to myself. Now that I'm an obsessive knitter, I'd also enjoy taking a bus so I could knit on the way in and way home. That would be so excellent. As it is now, I live a 30 minute drive from work and the bus doesn't come out here.
FireStarterRN, BSN, RN
3,824 Posts
It can be irritating when coworkers repeat the same theme or comment over and over, I agree. Try to let it go or else tell him that he's mentioned that 20 times and counting and that it's sounding tiresome.
blueheaven
832 Posts
Who cares if you use public transportation?? You are helping the environment, eliminating the "parking wars" that sometimes takes place when attempting to find a decent parking place!! The gas prices! Think how much you saved when gas was $4.00 + in some areas. People where I work use the light rail, subway, bus or hospital shuttle (where available). Unfortunately I am not close to any of the above and have to drive into the city every time I work. My employer PAYS for the use of public transportation. So :P to your coworker.
lindarn
1,982 Posts
I would also ask him WHY this is something of such interest, that he has to repeatedly mention/comment on it to anyone who will listen to him. He must have a very boring life that he has to mention something about a co-worker constantly. JMHO and my NY $0.02.
Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN
Spokane, Washington
nursej22, MSN, RN
4,445 Posts
Our facility encourages people to take public transportation, carpool, or bike. In fact you get a small stipend for doing so. Parking is pretty bad and the hospital is running out of space. I wish I could take the bus, but it doesn't run late enough to get me home.
I agree with being direct with Mr. anti-bus. There are so many positives, why would he be against it? i can't believe he is worried about your virtue.
I had someone tease me the other day about reusing shopping bags. i pointed out that by reusing 2 bags every week, in 1 year I eliminate 100 bags from landfills. Now, if i could just get DH on board...
JCLVN67
11 Posts
He probably can't figure out how to read a bus schedule or he's afraid of "looking poor" His opinions mean naught.
NurseKatie08, MSN
754 Posts
I would ask them what concern it was of theirs. My mother drives me to work (occasionally I take public transportation...known as the "T" in my neck of the woods, but due to working 3-11, i prefer not to take the bus late at night) because I don't have a car. I never wanted to drive when I first could, and now I'm living with mom, saving up for a car & paying off my loans from NS. It's what works for me....but so many people have felt the need to throw in their two cents and say "You should just get a car, so your mom doesn't have to drive you all the time." or "Your mom/brother is so nice to drive you." I simply tell them that I don't have a car right now & this is what works for my family.
And then I laugh when they all have to heat up and dig their cars out from snow, and my brother rolls in with his four wheel drive to pick me up....