Politically Correct

Our local High School has some inspirational flags hanging on the light posts at their front entrance, Dream, Pursue, Pride! Very nice… but wait!

What’s with the counterpart Spanish flags? Really guys? What kind of Redskin spirit is this, either your pro-indian or pro-mexican. How about some signs in native-american?

My position on this is really simple and straight-forward. If you choose to live here, learn the language and implement our traditions. Making overt politically correct accommodations to your heritage is bullshit. Enjoy your stuff in the privacy of your home, and talk to me in English.

I realize that I’m getting old and grouchy. For years I’ve just brushed aside those moments when you initiate a greeting or a goodbye and you get no response. To me, that’s the height of rudeness and as a bus driver, I experience it frequently.

Since I’m older than 90% of the people I deal with, I’ve decided that I deserve more respect and I’ve subsequently developed some new rules when dealing with the public:

1. I no longer initiate a greeting or goodbye. If a kid boards my bus, or a parent drops their kid off, and neither says a word, neither do I. If they leave my bus without saying anything, I don’t say anything either.
2. If the person dealing with me only knows two words in English (i.e. Hello & Goodbye), I don’t respond. If you can’t speak my language, don’t waste my time.
3. When people initiate a greeting, followed by a genuine query as to my physical and mental well-being, I’m the friendliest, most concerned bus driver you’ve ever met!

The results have been interesting. More and more people are saying hello and goodby…