How to Avoid Being Bothered by Other Passengers on the Bus

There might come a time when you have to rely on public transportation to get around town, and if you do, then you will also find yourself crossing paths with many different kinds of characters. Some people who ride the bus keep to themselves, others who rely on public transportation look at the ride as an social experience. If you are the quiet bus passenger and you want to avoid being bothered on the bus, then follow these simple steps.

How to Avoid Being Bothered on the Bus Tip #1: Place a bag or purse on the seat next to you whenever possible.
If the seat next to you is holding you belongings then new public transportation passengers boarding the bus who maybe looking for conversation to pass the time will be detoured from striking up a conversation with you. Make sure, however, that if the seat next to you is one of a couple left that you move your belongings so as not to be rude to other public transportation passengers looking for a seat.

How to Avoid Being Bothered on the Bus Tip #2: Read a book, and make sure you appear really into it.
Make sure to pack a book or magazine for the bus ride. Even if you don't actually plan on reading it, you will want it with you to avoid being bothered on the bus. If chatty public transportation passengers see that you are already distracted then they will look for someone more available to talk. Make sure your head stays buried in your reading, and your eyes stay diverted for others.

How to Avoid Being Bothered on the Bus Tip #3: Listen to music as loud as you can stand it without loosing hearing.
It is safest to already be listening to music when you get to the bus stop, that way no one can start a conversation with you at the stop that you feel obligated to continue to suffer through for the duration of your ride. The best way to make this effort to avoid being bothered on the bus effective is to turn the volume up on your music as loud as you can stand it. If fellow public transportation passengers can clearly make out the words to the song, then this will tell them that you won't be able to hear anything but your music.

How to Avoid Being Bothered on the Bus #4: Act like you are sleeping, maybe even throwing in a snore or two here and there.
A fellow public transportation traveler would have to be pretty gutsy to wake you just to entertain them with witty banter. It is not recommended that you actually sleep on the bus because you might miss your stop, but appearing as if you are asleep is a great way to avoid being bothered on the bus, while still making your stop.

How to Avoid Being Bothered on the Bus Tip #5: Call a friend, or if you can pull it off convincingly, pretend to be talking to a friend on your cell.
If you are already engaged in a conversation with someone else, well then, you won't be available for conversation with anyone else relying on public transportation. Talking on your cell phone during a ride is arguably the best way to avoid being bothered on the bus.

If you ever find yourself relying on public transportation to get from point A to point B, keep these tips in mind to avoid being bothered on the bus.