The View From Nathan's Bus

The Soulful Stench

7/13/2017

I'd never smelled anything more horrible in my life– and I've driven the 358! I've walked through LA's skid row. I've strolled down the alleys of the wrong part (more like wrong half, let's be honest here) of Napoli. This took the cake. The Breda bus had a huge driver's side window, and I put every inch of it to use, barely able to keep from vomiting. I'm ashamed to say I described the smell as "poop death" in relaying the story to others, as I could come up with no more accurate adjective.

How do you politely tell someone they smell awful?

He was a big man, twice my weight and a head taller. In one hand was a full-size plastic chair which he carried as though it were a paperback book. He might have been forty, dark-skinned American, clad in a large black top with a scarf of sorts wrapped about his neck. He had kind eyes.

[The rest of this story is in my new book!]

11 Comments

Charles

7/13/2017 11:37:16 am

I know this man from the 12 on sat.....always polite... and empathy I had from the first time he came on....I come from a family of Drs and Nurses....so you are not alone my friend...

Nathan

7/13/2017 12:41:50 pm

You're a good man, Charles. I'm so glad to not be alone!

Deb Otto link

7/13/2017 12:09:13 pm

This reminds me of (my favorite) your story about the vet who some idiot BMW driver had covered with dog doo. That story made me angry (Every time I see a BMW I wonder if it's owner was the one.) and sad. This one is just as profound. These are now my two favorite stories of yours, maybe because of how deeply they affected me.

Nathan

7/13/2017 12:44:31 pm

Thanks so much, Deb. I'm so glad this resonates. It's the most I could possibly ask for. I spent the rest of the shift in a melancholic daze. Everything had both more and less meaning, and I couldn't help pondering his situation. So glad I swapped shifts that night!

For readers new to the blog, here's the BMW dog doo post Deb is referring to:

http://www.nathanvass.com/the-view-from-nathans-bus/fecal-and-philosophical-matters

Anita

7/15/2017 05:04:52 pm

I seem to read the writings that bring me to tears. So glad for those in the world (you and Charles and hopefully many others) who recognize the being trapped in such horribly unfair circumstances. If you're ever through driving busses, you'd be a fabulous minister - Thanks for being here and for your heartfelt and shared reflections - they enrich us all.

Deb

7/15/2017 11:09:07 pm

Anita, I think he is already! But seriously, I'm not sure he could do more as a minister than he already does on the bus.

Nathan

7/16/2017 05:04:40 pm

Anita, Deb-

Thank you so much. If I can make someone feel better for five minutes, feel respected or acknowledged or just plain human, it's as large an accomplishment as I'm able to imagine. Thanks so much for reading, but moreso for the great perspectives you both have.

Chris M link

7/17/2017 07:53:52 am

I guess I was lucky enough to catch you on the 12 that evening. I was surprised to see you driving it as you pulled up at 4/Marion. Pleasant surprise.

In any event - I did often wonder what drivers do (or can do) about passengers that...have an aroma...there's been times someone has gotten on and the bus empties out at the next available stop (I'll admit I've done it...and waited for the next bus) because the smell is so bad. It's a touchy subject!

Nathan

7/17/2017 10:56:00 am

Good to see you as well, sir! What a lucky coincidence!

I've never gotten a satisfactory answer on what to do, or more specifically, how to tell someone they smell horrible to the point of being a hygienic danger to others and especially the driver. Sometimes I've told people "their clothes" don't smell too good, etc, or jumped off the bus with them as above; I suppose the worst-case scenario would be calling the coordinator for assistance in removing them when they don't cooperate with the driver's request– although convincing the coordinator you're stopping service for that reason would be difficult.

Rod

7/17/2017 12:39:08 pm

Hi Nate, as a supervisor in a d-car years ago I was sent to the terminal of the 2 line in Madrona. A woman in a wheelchair was trying to get on a bus back to town, but, also, smelled really bad. I got there and she really did smell bad, but it wasn't the usual fecal/urine/unwashed smell. She was appropriately dressed. She'd been there for an hour trying to get on a bus. She understood how bad she smelled, but couldn't do much about it cause it was caused by her meds. I got her on the next bus. The driver knew her from his church. It was a powerful lesson to me about judging folks. I've tried to pass this lesson along to drivers I've trained. Empathy is like a muscle, it needs to be exercised regularly.
Rod
Ps you could ask for a supervisor to meet your coach to talk to the passenger about their odor/sanitation. Keep it rolling n pass along info in a respectful way.

Nathan

7/19/2017 10:51:22 am

Rod,

Thank you. This is very helpful information to receive, regarding asking for a supervisor in such a situation. Also, wow- what a powerful moment in Madrona indeed! I'll be remembering that one. Here's to keeping that muscle alive!