Lessons in Riding the Bus For a variety of reasons, I have recently started relying on metro buses for my transportation needs within the city. There are regulars on my route to and from work. There is the man who dresses impeccably well but whose hair, short as it is, can appear in a number of arrangements. In contrast, there is a man who has hair down his back in a neat pony tail but wears glasses of a fashion my father wore 20 years ago. One day there was a young man in a tuxedo with a corsage on his lap.
Most days there are people of questionable personal hygiene and uncertain sleeping arrangements.
On days when I don't have a book, I watch this assortment of people. Their silence makes it easier to categorize each individual, to make judgments on appearances. Sometimes, and not nearly often enough, my judgments turn to me, turn on me. I see that there quite likely are things about my appearance that might scare, amuse, or discomfort some. Very much so.