Metrolife 101

Idea # 66: How to get into a crowded A/C bus in Mumbai

If the bus conductor does not allow you to get into the bus because it is crowded, give him a bewildered look and tell him that your wife is in the bus and you are waiting to be united.


That is exactly how I managed to get into a crowded A/C bus on a rainy day. The only difference here is that I wasnt lying. My wife was already in the bus as she had got in from a previous stop. When the conductor said "Bus is packed" I could not think of anything but blurt out the truth. There was a moment of silence after that as we both looked at each other in bewilderment. The looks on his face were as if I had accused him of kidnapping my wife in his bus. I had never said or done something like this before. I am sure it was the first time in his career he heard it too (He was a young guy and if he blogs then I am sure he is writing "Passenger 101" right now). After the awkard moment passed, it was his turn to blurt out - "Ok ok ..only you can come in, rest please stay out". That was hilarious. It was as if there was a rule in their standard operating procedure - "Allow a guy to get in if his wife is already in the bus". Things could have been worse though. As luck would have it there was a female sitting nearby who - by a strange stroke of coincidence - looked exactly like my wife. I was about to point her out to the conductor in my defense that I was not lying. Thankfully better sense prevailed. Neither could I contain my amusement nor could I garner enough courage to look up and see if anyone else was smiling at me!

Strange things happen in a strange city

Rishi.