The Bus Report
by: Daniel Riehs
NEW YORK—College sophomore Stephanie Anderson took a proactive stance in the bus-seating procedure Wednesday.
"I usually just walk to the back of the bus and sit by myself. I know that I'm taking my chances with who is going to sit next to me, but sometimes I get so embarrassed," said Anderson.
She then continued, "This time I sat next to a woman in the front of the bus. There were lots of empty seats in the back of the bus, but this woman was reading a book, and I thought she would be a great bus partner."
Experts believe that Anderson's plans would have been successful if a miscalculation in the occupancy of the bus had not resulted in her being the only person on the bus sitting directly next to a stranger.
"When the bus left the gate," said Anderson, "I was the only person sitting next to someone. It must have been really awkward for that woman. Oh, the pain."
Since the interview, Anderson has vowed to never ride a bus again.