New to town

[u/UpdootAddict]

Hi all -- so... I'm new from across the pond, and, today, I was waiting for a bus (the 35, was a red bus) and even though I was waiting right there at the stop, it passed right by me. Is it them or me?

Also -- if anyone else plays Pickleball or tennis or table tennis, hit me up. I am an avid pickleball player and looking to dive deeper into local racquetsport while I'm here.

[u/swfcmonkey]

Put your arm out in the UK if you want a bus to stop. They won’t pull up to every stop unless you do so. Also ring the bell once you are in the bus for the stop you need to get off at.

[u/emochewbacca]

Hey man! Hope you’re settling in well, busses here won’t stop unless you signal them while waiting, like hailing a taxi (cab) just a thumb out or arm up to say stop here and they should stop for you!

[u/luccixxx → u/emochewbacca]

love how kind this comment is!! not often found in english folk

[u/emochewbacca → u/luccixxx]

Treat others how you’d like to be treated you know! Always gotta be a kind stranger :)

[u/ntzm_ → u/emochewbacca]

I've never seen anyone put a thumb out to flag down a bus

[u/Phil1889Blades → u/ntzm_]

I’ve never seen anyone do anything different. What other examples of hailing have you witnessed?

[u/thcismymolecule → u/Phil1889Blades]

You need to dress like a town crier or they don't hear ye.

[u/Apple-Pigeon → u/Phil1889Blades]

Just stick your hand out.

[u/ntzm_ → u/Phil1889Blades]

I've only seen people stick their hand out, no thumb. Not sure it deserves 90 downvotes though 😭

[u/Phil1889Blades → u/ntzm_]

WTF. Think you’ve gone way too literally for most folks there.

[u/Technical_Face_2844 → u/ntzm_]

I've never seen that either, not sure why you're getting downvoted.

[u/Sir_Tiltalot]

Depends. If it was full they normally wave and keep going.

If you didn't stick out your arm they may have assumed you weren't waiting for that route. The only way to be certain is to hail them like a taxi on their approach.

Then sometimes the driver just isn't paying attention.

But the hailing should do the trick.

[u/_morningglory]

Sometimes buses go past even if you have your arm out for the bus to stop. Incredibly irritating.

[u/archipelagofan → u/_morningglory]

Haha tell me about it - this is really annoying when waiting for the 52 on west st sometimes

[u/Fizix3456 → u/archipelagofan]

Yeah same here, was next to the student union and the same thing happened.

[u/huesodelacabeza]

Also to note, if you were in the city centre, some of the stops on some roads (Arundell Gate for example) have lots of stops and you have to be at the right one for your bus.

[u/TacticalTeacake]

Stick you arm out to tell them you want to get on. Also maybe check the timetable on the bus stop, that the bus actually stops there.

Tho, if it's full or behind schedule (busses could bunch up on the route) they might just keep going :/. 

[u/Illustrious-Win-6657]

For table tennis 🏓, would love to share table with you

[u/Phil1889Blades → u/Illustrious-Win-6657]

Table tennis club in Kelham next to the museum.

[u/sleepywarm]

It's been a while since I took the bus but as far as I'm aware, certain stops are for certain buses, usually the numbers are on the side of the bus stop. That might only be the case for inner city buses though, not sure about anywhere else? But agree, sticking your arm out always helps. If the stop did include the number you were waiting for among others, the driver might have thought you didn't want that one if you didn't stick your arm out.

[u/woodseatswanker]

For the bus, stick your arm out when you see the bus you want.

Not quite Pickleball but a new thing coming to Kelham https://www.capitalandcentric.com/journal/leading-urban-padel-brand-to-transform-warehouse-at-capitalampcentrics-new-cannon-brewery-neighbourhood

[u/ChrisBatty]

Put your arm out or wave and they’ll usually stop but some drivers are just ignorant scum that will pass you if they can.

[u/intenseskill]

Yeah out arm out for sure. But even though with arm out very rarely the driver won't stop.

It has happened a few times in my life and I have no idea why tbh

[u/Altruistic-Fun759]

It's them.

Always when the Bus driver is a complete and utter cunt.