How to Entertain Yourself During a Bus Commute

Most people don't like taking city transit. Actually, let me amend that statement. Nobody in his right mind enjoys riding the bus. But it is the environmentally conscious and economical thing to do. So unless you hate Mother Earth and/or are financially well-off, you probably take the bus at least every once in a while and often get bored or irritated somewhere along the route. It is possible to have fun on the bus, though; just choose any combination of the following options:

Listen to music: With a wide range of mp3 players available at affordable prices, this is definitely one of the most common ways to prevent boredom. In fact, suggesting this seems so obvious that it's

almost pointless. But I'm advising it mainly so I can bring attention to one of my biggest pet peeves in terms of etiquette. To ensure that you don't bother the people sitting next to you, turn the volume down as low as you can (while still being able to hear your music, obviously). For the mornings, you might want to listen to party or upbeat music to energize yourself while soft rock or classical music will help you relax in the evenings.

Strike up a conversation: If you feel comfortable doing so and the person next to you seems approachable, why not chat? You'll never know who you'll meet and what you'll learn. You might even laugh or share a corny, heartfelt moment with a stranger. Chatting with your neighbor is a good technique for making new acquaintances, perhaps even friends, and possibly network, too. If a person next to you is busy (reading, writing, tending to children, etc.), though, it's a good idea to occupy yourself some other way. Even if annoying others is one of your greatest pleasures in life, you should at least have the sense not to do so on the bus. Most commuters are already miserable people; give them some mercy.

Bring reading material: A novel, a newspaper, a magazine, an academic journal, a 'zine, a newsletter--whatever your preference, reading something that interests you will definitely help pass the time. A few tips, though: 1) Make sure that the title or cover art wouldn't likely offend a parent of a small child, a minority group member, etc. Bus passengers tend to be a diverse group of people, which means anti-semitic, sexist, racist, or other highly controversial material is best concealed or simply left at home. You might be reading a book for research purposes only and not agree with anything in it but still---avoid starting an unnecessary argument, and 2) Keep in mind that if you're reading the newspaper or a large book, it may get in the way of your neighbor. Be considerate and fold up the newspaper as much as possible so as not to disturb the person next to you; as for big books, it's usually best to leave those at home unless you can position it on your lap and open it only slightly. Of course, if your concentration's particularly sensitive to loud noises, however, reading on the bus may not be the best option for you.

Write or sketch: Bring a notebook and a pen or pencil and you're set. Sketch the likenesses of other passengers, writ a new poem each day about your commute, or do something completely unrelated to the bus ride (chances are you want to forget where you are, anyway!) Also, you're probably best off with a mini notebook, especially if the bus is crowded and you have to stand up.

Eavesdrop: Not necessarily the politest or most moral option, but if you want to discreetly cock your head a little and listen in, do so with passion. That's right. No half-hearted eavesdropping! Listen for every detail and by the end of your ride, see how much of the story you can put together in your mind. It's like a guaranteed logic puzzle everyday, for free.

Do your homework: Students should take advantage of the 10 to 30 minutes the average bus ride takes. You should have enough time to flip through flashcards, quickly review the main points in a chapter, fill out a worksheet, or even handwrite a short response essay. If you're lucky enough that your city provides free Wi-Fi and your route doesn't get especially crowded, think about bringing a laptop, too. Just watch out for bumps in the road!

Admire the sights: Sometimes you get so agitated about your commute that you forget to look out and enjoy your surroundings. Even if you live in a, let's be honest, ugly city, there are probably a few interesting buildings or stores with neat window displays. Look around and you may be surprised by what changes each day. If you feel particularly ambitious, start a journal and record all of the day-to-day changes you observe on your route.

Relax and think: Look down at your lap, your hands, whatever. Close your eyes if you like. Reflect on your day or make up a joke. Just don't worry. Worrying is never entertaining.