courtesy
This morning while stepping off the tram and thanking the driver a realisation struck me. In Switzerland people don't thank the driver. In England whenever anyone gets off the bus, they thank the driver. Even if the bus is crowded and 30 people get off at the main stop they will each thank the driver. Even if they are in the middle of a deep conversation with a friend they will both spare half a second for a "cheers mate" or somesuch.
It's not unusual for English culture to exhibit this sort of behaviour though. By thanking the driver you're making the point that the driver is doing you a favour by giving you a lift and not that he's your paid servant. In a similar fashion you would never tip the barman (which implies that he's below you) but you would offer to buy him a drink - "and one for yourself". The implies that he's on your level and joining in your social activity, even though he's clearly not.
The bus thing is interesting though - on reflection the English have a lot less to be thankful for.
It's not unusual for English culture to exhibit this sort of behaviour though. By thanking the driver you're making the point that the driver is doing you a favour by giving you a lift and not that he's your paid servant. In a similar fashion you would never tip the barman (which implies that he's below you) but you would offer to buy him a drink - "and one for yourself". The implies that he's on your level and joining in your social activity, even though he's clearly not.
The bus thing is interesting though - on reflection the English have a lot less to be thankful for.
posted by nj at
09:18
1 Comments:
I thank the driver of the bus I've been riding twice a day for the last year and a half, and it seems fairly typical for the other passengers to do so as well.
But tipping the barman is definitely de rigeur over here. It's not so much that the barman's below you, but more of an acknowledgment that he's at work, and your tips are how he pays the rent.
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Anonymous, at 5:06 am
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