When I’m back in San Francisco I often take public transportation to go to places. And you’ll be surprised what you see while riding the bus / train / subway with the masses.
Wednesday night I was expected to be in Oakland and decided to board BART at Civic Center. After I purchased my ticket from the machine a man in his late 30s stopped me right before I had a chance to walk toward the entrance.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” he had a BART ticket in his hand, “can you please lend me 75 cents?”
He wore glasses and dressed in clean clothes but looked frightened. Normally I would just walk away. For some odd reason I reached for my wallet and handed him a dollar bill.
“Be safe & good luck!” I said him as I walked away.
Not until I got on BART and had a moment to myself, a thought came to my mind. He could have robbed me right there since there was no one around. The idea startled me. Everyone I know who lives in San Francisco tells me that the crime rate in the city has gone up and it’s not as safe as it used to be. This is exactly the situation that they would warn me about – DO NOT OPEN YOUR WALLET IN FRONT OF A STRANGER, ESPECIALLY NOT IN THE PRESENCE OF A PANHANDLER.
Today I took the bus to go to downtown. I tried to swipe my translink card. After a few attempts the screen showed only one thing and it said “Blocked Card. The bus driver leaned over to take a look at the screen. He shrugged his shoulder and said, “I don’t know what it means. Just go ahead and sit down.”
He just saved me $1.50 for bus fare. The fare will be increased to $2 per person starting July 1st.
A few minutes later an African American got on the bus. It seemed like he was trying to sneak in along with other passengers. Unfortunately it didn’t work and the bus driver called him out, “$1.50 please.”
The man searched for his bus transfer in his torn duffle bag but nothing turned up. He said to the bus driver, “I have it somewhere.” He reached for his pants pockets and still nothing.
“If you ain’t got $1.50, give me whatever you’ve got. Coins will do. I can’t let you ride for free.” He just stood there next to the bus driver, looking hopeless and helpless.
Suddenly an Asian-looking old man, napping on the seat, reached for his pocket, grabbed 5 or 6 different coins consisted of quarters and dimes, and handed it the black guy.
No words were spoken but just an exchange of eye contacts. As the black guy walked toward the back of the bus he turned around and said, “Thank you so much Sir. I truly appreciated it. Thank you!” He was humble and polite.
The old man didn’t even look up or nod his head. His eyes remained closed until he got off the bus.
In Asia we’re constantly reminded that we have to yield seats to the elderly. On the bus and subways there are always signs asking people to give up seats for seniors, pregnant women and children. In San Francisco I often see young people watch old people get on the bus and remain still on the seats. They won’t even pretend to get up from their seats. I don’t know why it bothers me so much when it happens right in front of my eyes.
In San Francisco you can always identify tourists on the bus, streetcars, trains and BART because they all have a folded map or guidebook in their hands. Often tourists get on the bus and ask the bus driver for directions. Rarely seen a bus driver is willing to help; and I find myself giving directions to visitors all the time.
Human interactions can be so inhuman sometimes and yet there are still people who do care. Be a man and do the right thing.
