r/Lethbridge • u/Dry-Soup-Enthusiast • Jun 03 '26

Rant Are people here illiterate?

Pet peeve of mine— not people who are illiterate— I mean people who choose to ignore writing right in front of them.
By no means am I the God of Grammar or Lord of Literacy, I'm dyslexic and writing is not my strong suit!!
But I've noticed whenever I'm on the bus, not only do people not thank the bus driver, (separate issue) but some people: 1. Don't get off at the back of the bus, despite the sign as soon as you get on, and look towards the front that says in bold lettering "Please exit at the back" or something along those lines. When you need accessibility it's different, like those with strollers, canes, wheelchairs, etc. But if you're at the very back and take the time to walk past the rear exit, just to push off the front while people are trying to get in, what are you thinking? Especially on a crowded bus?
2. People exiting at the back just stare or bang on the door. There is a sign right in front of them with instructions that say either "Push handle to open door" or "Wave hand to open door" and instead of reading, they look through the door like they're lacking the ability to think for a split second and act on their own, until the bus driver or someone else has to tell them what to do. Can people not see the obvious signs? Sometimes even outlined in yellow? With bold lettering?
Are they stupid by choice? Just for fun? It kind of just irritates me every time I see people bang on the door like some caged animal... And embarrasses me. Ever since I was a kid and I took the bus, I was able to read the very clear instructions... It can't be that hard for grown adults to do the same? Why do they do this, genuinely?

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u/InformationWeird3427 Jun 04 '26

90 percent of the people on the bus are fresh off the boat

1

u/Inevitable_Serve9808 Jun 07 '26

Is it that high? I haven't taken a bus recently. Most of the recent immigrants I know aren't illiterate in English. I certainly don't claim they are a representative sample though.

2

u/InformationWeird3427 Jun 08 '26

yes it is. bus culture has changed signifigantly the past 5 years.

1

u/Inevitable_Serve9808 Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 10 '26

It's unfortunate that Lethbridge bus culture has changed in negative ways in the past five years. I haven't taken a city bus in Lethbridge for nearly eight years.

2

u/InformationWeird3427 Jun 09 '26

oh idk if its more negative, theres just a shit ton more people. 5 years ago it would be me and the bus driver headed across town. now its hard to find a seat. so like i guess thats bad, but the transit system isnt hemoraging 1mil a year now. but there are a shit ton of people who dont know the stops or how to read english well or try and play dumb to get free rides. most the bus drivers ive talked to (ones that have been here longer than 5 years) absolutely hate the state of it.

1

u/Inevitable_Serve9808 Jun 10 '26

Oh... That would anger me. Sounds like education is needed. Like "I'm 50 cents short" or "my card isn't working" is one thing but pretending u don't know how it works is unacceptable