Excursion bus 'protocol'

[Nic6318]

Ok, so you get onto a 50 passenger excursion bus. There are no reserved seats besides the front row or two for your guide and the mobility challanged. The excursion has multiple stops where everyone gets off. Upon returning at every stop, are you expected to take the same exact seat you had? (even though: 1) your next stop is all of 5 minutes away, 2) all the rows look alike, and 3) no one has left a coat or bag to claim their seats. I ask this because on a recent cruise, my wife boarded our bus just ahead of me (I was taking a final photo). Unintentionally, she didn't sit in her "assigned" seat and was rudely reprimanded by a very grouchy 'gentleman' (it wasn't even his seat). This is not an airplane with assigned seating. The bus does not have a first class section. Isn't this a first come, first seated situation?

 

 

Hi

 

I don't see your point really. So, are you saying that if someone left belongings on their seat you wouldn't take that one, but the rest would be fair game. That would be your rule(s)? Is this a game? Would you think everybody should know your rules before we start?

 

So now we start the game. I guess now everybody leaves something on their seat. Maybe some others that don't like your rules won't get off the bus at the next stop and just move your stuff that you left on your seats and sit there. Oh, wow, new rule, their rule, guess they forgot to tell you. Really...get serious, grow up. If you have a problem speak to the driver/tour guide beforehand. It's not your bus, it's not your tour company, you don't make the rules.

 

just my opinion

[sloopsailor]

If the rule is "first come first served", and no one with any authority has stipulated that people should keep the same seats, why shouldn't "first come first served" apply at each boarding - especially when people have not indicated desire to keep their original seat by leaving something on it? .... particularly when some seats are preferable to others..

 

After taking countless tour bus rides where the problem of people taking a seat that someone was sitting in at the start of the tour was rarely a problem, I have learned a new lesson on this thread: always bring something with me to leave on the seat so the "my rules, I'll take what I want" people will leave my familiar seat alone. I prefer NOT to play musical seats when on a tour just to satisfy the few people who have to make the tour all about themselves. If you wanted my seat, you should have gotten on the bus before me at the start of the tour, not half way through it because you couldn't be bothered to get in line early at the beginning.

 

You never did answer the question on the other thread of whether you also take someone's seat in the ship's theater when they leave to go to the bathroom if it's better than yours. Like was pointed out on that thread, no one with any authority has stipulated that people should keep the same seats there either. Shouldn't seating in the theater have the same free-for-all rule if someone leaves for any reason?

 

Anyone who INITIATES confrontation by telling someone not to recline a seat WHICH IS MEANT TO BE RECLINED, certainly has no right to protest when that seat is reclined.

 

Yep, it is SOOOO much better to respond to such a rude person by showing them you can be even ruder by shoving your seat back down in retaliation, thereby winning the rudeness contest, right?

 

Most people are considerate and will refrain from lowerng their seat too far so as to not inconvenience the person behind them. But, how silly of me to think that basic manners apply on a tour bus. :rolleyes:

Edited September 15, 2017 by sloopsailor

[kc58ab]

Just a thought ..movie theaters do stipulate on back of the ticket that they can assign seats. Which is why when you go to a opening night of a popular movie in the theater is packed that they sometimes will announce everyone moved to the middle. Course my first reaction is I waited in line for an hour before this started so I could have a good seat. Maybe I don't want to move over a spot to the left or right. But they can make you it says so on the ticket. So I don't think we can compare the two.

[navybankerteacher]

The question is: in a situation where NO rules have been stipulated, why should it be assumed that "FIRST COME FIRST SERVED ALL DAY" is the "rule"?

 

Why not proceed on the assumption that if the previous occupant of a desirable, but unassigned, seat did nothing to indicate his preference to keep it, that he did not feel any right of ownership?

[Blondilu]

Things seem to go smoother if you stick to your same seat, but if you get on board and that one is taken, move on to another. Easy peasy. It's a bus ride for crying out loud. Not a lifetime commitment.

 

Honestly, half the time I can't remember EXACTLY which seat I was in unless I have left something on the seat. And if it really is important that you have the same seat, then get back to the bus early.

[navybankerteacher]

[quote name='sloopsailor;54067010

 

 

 

...always bring something with me to leave on the seat so the "my rules' date=' I'll take what I want" people will leave my familiar seat alone[/b'].

...

 

Yep, it is SOOOO much better to respond to such a rude person by showing them you can be even ruder by shoving your seat back down in retaliation, thereby winning the rudeness contest, right

...

 

quote]

 

Interesting demonstration of social ethics -- on the one hand you feel entitled to secure the most desirable seat for yourself for the whole day because you were able to grab it first.

 

And then protesting against someone using his seat the way it was meant to be used - in spite of the "orders" of the person behind him.

 

If you advocate the "I got it first, so it's mine forever" approach, how can you possibly protest someone using his seat the way IT WAS MEANT TO BE USED?

 

Just a bit inconsistent, don't you think.

[Miata]

And on a more positive note, my wife and I did an excursion in St, Thomas once when we were shown outstanding politeness from a teenager.

 

The excursion was one of those where they use the large trucks with five rows of seating outside in the back. Each row held five people.

 

The excursion picked you up at the ship and took you downtown to shop. At a designated time you were to return to the truck to go on a tour of the island.

 

My wife and I returned to the meeting point but the only two seats left were one on the left side in one row and one on the right side in another row. Obviously we were going to be separated for the tour.

 

Due to the truck being full a 15 year old teenager was sitting next to the open seat on one side. His parents were in the last bench of the truck so they too were separated. The young man immediately offered to move to the single seat on the other row such that we could sit together. Obviously the entire truck was aware of what just happened.

 

Once seated I turned to face him at the end of the bench behind ours and said “That was VERY polite of you to do. Did you parents teach you to be that polite or did you pretty much have to figure it out on your own?” Without missing a beat the young man replied “I pretty much had to figure it out on my own.” The whole truck burst into laughter.

 

I turned to his parents in the last row to acknowledge their superb job of raising their son and they were beaming.

 

Nicely done young man and nicely done Mom and Dad.

Edited September 15, 2017 by Miata
spaces were deleted from the first post so I fixed it

[Floridiana]

It makes sense to take the same seat unless the guide specifies a different rule. That way, if the numbers do not add up, the people next to the empty seat will know - hopefully - who is missing. (age, gender, clothing).

In case several busses are parked in the same spot and one person is missing in your bus, tell the guide to check immediately whether the other bus has one person too many. In Mexico, the experienced guide did it successfully. In China, the inexperienced guides of our two busses took forever to discover the person. Passengers were of no help because they were sitting randomly and had paid no attention to the single old lady.

[GUT2407]

It makes sense to take the same seat unless the guide specifies a different rule. That way, if the numbers do not add up, the people next to the empty seat will know - hopefully - who is missing. (age, gender, clothing).

In case several busses are parked in the same spot and one person is missing in your bus, tell the guide to check immediately whether the other bus has one person too many. In Mexico, the experienced guide did it successfully. In China, the inexperienced guides of our two busses took forever to discover the person. Passengers were of no help because they were sitting randomly and had paid no attention to the single old lady.

 

But now you expect people to use common sense, rather than being self entitled, 'That's the seat I wanted but missed out, so next stop I'll get on early and take it" sheesh some people.

[jaxonboy]

I think it is a good idea for the guide to step up and indicate what's expected (especially these days where courtesy is lacking). If you take a circular island tour, people on one side of the bus may see beautiful coastline, where the other side sees a rock wall or nothing but trees. Switch sides so others may enjoy the trip. I paid just as much as you for the trip, so give me a chance to enjoy too.

I have been on tours with guides that requested guests to move around so everyone got a chance to see different views. I have seen seemingly respectable folks push and shove to be first and get the "good" seats. Especially 90 days into a 113 day cruise.

 

So, I book my own tours or travel with small groups where a friend kindly makes the arrangements.

[dverzic]

Don't get me started! When on a cruise in the Med there was a family who took our seats even though the guide told everyone to take their previous seats. Since the bus was locked while we were away from it we left our tote bag, sweater, and water bottles at our seats. When we got back on the bus, not only were there others in our seats but our things were missing. They had taken them and stuck them in different places on the bus, and then acted all innocent. Needless to say, I was pissed. Btw, these were the same people I saw littering in the Sistine Chapel. Low class jerks!

 

 

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[sloopsailor]

Nice to see that the majority of posters here understand the social etiquette of not taking someone else's seat. Not sure what happened to the seat takers to cause them to be so inconsiderate to others. :confused:

[CruiseGal999]

After taking countless tour bus rides where the problem of people taking a seat that someone was sitting in at the start of the tour was rarely a problem, I have learned a new lesson on this thread: always bring something with me to leave on the seat so the "my rules, I'll take what I want" people will leave my familiar seat alone. I prefer NOT to play musical seats when on a tour just to satisfy the few people who have to make the tour all about themselves. If you wanted my seat, you should have gotten on the bus before me at the start of the tour, not half way through it because you couldn't be bothered to get in line early at the beginning.

 

You never did answer the question on the other thread of whether you also take someone's seat in the ship's theater when they leave to go to the bathroom if it's better than yours. Like was pointed out on that thread, no one with any authority has stipulated that people should keep the same seats there either. Shouldn't seating in the theater have the same free-for-all rule if someone leaves for any reason?

 

 

 

Yep, it is SOOOO much better to respond to such a rude person by showing them you can be even ruder by shoving your seat back down in retaliation, thereby winning the rudeness contest, right?

 

Most people are considerate and will refrain from lowerng their seat too far so as to not inconvenience the person behind them. But, how silly of me to think that basic manners apply on a tour bus. :rolleyes:

 

This is HYSTERICAL! It is only RUDE to those who want to keep their seats and those who want the person in front to NOT use the recline function of the seat so THEY (the person in back) have comfort. To heck with the person's comfort in front. To heck with anyone's 'rights' at all, except the person complaining like a 9 year old that their bus seat was taken! OMG people, grow up! This has NOTHING to do with manners or being rude, it is about being a grown up and people will get on a bus and choose a different seat and it is NORMAL and it is that person's RIGHT to do so. There are NOT any RULES, social or otherwise on a bus! It is NOT impolite to do this. It has NOTHING to do with manners - good or bad! WOW what manipulating people and phrases on here! Just grow up! Oh, pssst .... someone moved your cheese!

[dverzic]

I disagree. It is really disconcerting to come back to find your things gone and someone else in your seat. We picked our seats because my husband has long legs and needed the extra room. Sorry if someone got on the bus after us. They need to take what's left. No one would ever do this in a restaurant or theater, so why do they think it's acceptable on a bus tour?

 

 

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[CruiseGal999]

I disagree. It is really disconcerting to come back to find your things gone and someone else in your seat. We picked our seats because my husband has long legs and needed the extra room. Sorry if someone got on the bus after us. They need to take what's left. No one would ever do this in a restaurant or theater, so why do they think it's acceptable on a bus tour?

 

 

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No one here said anything about people's belongings being moved to take the seat. It has been stated that if you want your same seat, then leave your jacket or something on your seat(s).

[dverzic]

I'm just relating my experience. We left our things at our seats and people not only took our seats, they also moved our things to other places on the bus. That's what I consider rude. I can understand people taking seats when they look available, but that was not our case.

 

 

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[NMLady]

Every excursion I've been on where there is a bus, everyone has always taken the same seat.

 

That has been my experience as well.

[Hey Tina]

Okay but can we all agree that "pssst....someone moved your cheese!" is fricken hilarious though...:'):'):')

[dverzic]

It's not funny when you have to go through all the seat backs to find your cheese! [emoji38]

 

 

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[FisherBrewCrew]

There is NO assigned seating. It is first come, first seated. If there are no personal belongings on the seats, IMHO, you and yours are free to sit. AND just a note, a lady who sat behind me on a tour bus stated "don't you dare put your seat back". She smiled and huffed and sat down. As I reclined to my seat's fullest extent.

 

This made my giggle. I'd probably do the same (but for me it would be called) "Wisconsin passive aggressive" thing in that situation. People can be so rude for no reason! :D

[navybankerteacher]

I disagree. It is really disconcerting to come back to find your things gone and someone else in your seat. We picked our seats because my husband has long legs and needed the extra room. Sorry if someone got on the bus after us. They need to take what's left. No one would ever do this in a restaurant or theater, so why do they think it's acceptable on a bus tour?

 

 

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So, what about someone who had LONGER legs than your husband - wouldn't he have greater need for the extra room?

 

Do you really not see the difference between a restaurant (where a finite meal is involved) or a theater (where a finite performance is involved) and a day-long bus tour where multiple stops are part of the program - and some seats are clearly preferable to others?

[iancal]

It is just one of the reasons why we bus excursions.

[pris993]

the easy answer is avoid organized tours... lol

[kc58ab]

So, what about someone who had LONGER legs than your husband - wouldn't he have greater need for the extra room?

 

Do you really not see the difference between a restaurant (where a finite meal is involved) or a theater (where a finite performance is involved) and a day-long bus tour where multiple stops are part of the program - and some seats are clearly preferable to others?

Okay I'll bite for fun :)

 

Up in the chain I explained why I don't think a movie theater ticket is a good comparison. To paraphrase on the back of the tickets it states that the theater can assigned seating.

The restaurant scene is a little better example. But again most restaurants you don't seat yourself. You are escorted to a seat. Which to me more less is again assigning the seat.

I haven't been on an Excursion tour before where I received a ticket but stated they could assign seats nor have I been escorted to which seat I should sit in.

 

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[Azure Moon]

As can be clearly seen, opinions vary on the etiquette... which is why I have an expectation that every guide will make a clarifying statement. They know the route - or they shouldn't guiding us! So if it's a trip with 'better' seats due to views, making it fair to swap sides/front to back then stating this upfront makes things work much smoother - if it's not, well then simply telling people you'll all see everything so please keep the same seats so you can leave your stuff.

 

I've had "After lunch, please swap with the couple across the row from you so you both get to see the good views" or "Every time we reboard, please move one row further back/forward" and even "If you want the same seats all the time sit in the back, if you want to rotate so you get the front seat at some point sit near the front" (figuring out which row was the 'breakpoint' between rotaters and stayers took a couple of minutes, but afterward both types of folks were happy).

 

It's better for everyone if the guide can help ease friction compared to leaving pax from different age groups/cultures/countries to sort out among themselves who is the rudest one. Any time there's a logistical annoyance like seat swapping I raise it with the guide and if they don't resolve it, I remind them that their tip level varies with trip enjoyment and folks aren't enjoying themselves right now;-)

 

Best guide we ever had was on a multi-day coach tour: laid down the law on day one about seating and time to return and ensured that every person acknowledged they understood. Day two we actually left a couple behind because they were late back to the bus - and nobody ever misbehaved again. That couple handed over an envelope to the driver but not the guide at the end - the other ~44 people else gave an extra big tip to the guide as it was the smoothest, most efficiently-run tour ever.

 

NB: before the inevitable "OMG that's horrible how dare he abandon them" posts - we wasted an extra HOUR looking for them all around the bus station before leaving, the guide left multiple photocopied notices with local taxi phone number, public bus routes etc. to the next hotel stuck up for several blocks and even called the local hospital and police station before leaving town. Everyone already had his business card with cellphone number. The missing couple called his cell another hour later, when we were almost to the next hotel - and managed to get there the same evening. A few days later when chatting over dinner he even mentioned that if the couple had not been Spanish speakers (we were in Spain) he would have stayed behind himself and sent the rest of us on the coach.

 

I love when guides take charge and make things more equitable for all. There are many reasons why someone gets to a bus early and late, so making it mandatory to change locations throughout the tour is fair. And as far as leaving the people behind, an attempt to find them was made, so the couple shouldn't have been miffed.

 

There is NO assigned seating. It is first come, first seated. If there are no personal belongings on the seats, IMHO, you and yours are free to sit. AND just a note, a lady who sat behind me on a tour bus stated "don't you dare put your seat back". She smiled and huffed and sat down. As I reclined to my seat's fullest extent.

 

I agree with others, two rudenesses don't make either polite. Yes, you were vindictive.