The bus driver who knew my name after one ride

Tuesday morning on the 41 route in Austin, this driver handed me my transfer before I even asked and said, "Same stop as yesterday, right?" I'd only ridden his bus once, but he remembered my face and my stop, and it threw me because I couldn't even remember his name. Have you ever had a stranger pay that much attention to your routine, and did it make you feel seen or kinda creeped out?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_taylor1mo ago

Is it really that deep though? Some people just have a knack for faces and routes, especially drivers who do the same loop all day. I've had cabbies in my town recognize me after one fare, doesn't mean they're stalking me, just means they're paying attention to their job.

lindag331mo ago

Ha! @the_taylor says "not that deep" like we all ain't watched the same true crime docs where the cabbie "just had a good memory" for like 47 victims. Sure, some drivers got great recall, but there's a big gap between "hey, you're the one who tipped in nickels" and "I know your whole Tuesday schedule, Brenda." If they start mentioning my usual coffee order, I'm moving to a city with no cars, just boats.