Observation # 2 Bus Ride

Today I decided to ride the U, one of UNC campus's buses. I got on at Franklin Street with a few other riders. I was the first one on and I was seated in about the middle of the bus. So I was able to see eveyone who got on the bus behind me. The bus was loaded in silence with eye contact being made only for the purpose of looking for avaliable seats. The new comers looked to see where empty seats could be found away from the riders already boarded so that everyone was evenly spread out. Once everyone is seated they space out, look out the window, text, or just do their own thing, not paying anyone any attention. It's actually an awkward silence if one is not used to it, or doesn't realize it's the norm. When someone uses a cell phone, the people on the bus and especially those around them consider it annoying. Therefore, a person talks on his or her cell phone with courtsey and in a lower vioce tone.
Small talk could be heard in teh back of the bus but it didnt' last for long. People leave from the front of the bus sometimes to say thank you to the bus driver or because it's the closest exit from their seat; otherwise riders usually exit at the back door. The majority of people got on the bus at the student union and off the bus in front of hinton james. Yet everyone remains quiet when exiting the bus.