Friend racially abused on the bus :(

Pinkbubbles

Hi
Read briefly over the bystander apathy, makes for some scary reading. Challenges the safety in numbers concept. Thanks for the link mrs drink.
Some good advice here, not going to let it bother me any further, and will be there to support my friend if she wants to talk about it, but not bring it up, I'm definitely convinced that my actions were not overly cowardly more a situation diffuser. I'm glad I had S around, and that's she a calm cool headed person, I can think of worse consequences occurring if I hadn't taken heed of her advice.
Have emailed the bus company with the relevant details, but am doubtful of any real action regarding drunks on buses, not the first time I've seen it and its unlikely to be the last.
It's not that I think my mum will be unsupportive or won't listen, I'm more fearful of her going above and beyond duty, and encouraging my elder brother to accompany me on further bus journeys. Couldn't bear the thought for either of us, having to drag him round Primark and the like with us.
We were both near the front of the bus, but so was the drunk man. Part of me didn't want to give him the satisfaction of showing him his actions had made us move, which probably sounds stupid, if he had been dangerous, so I will bear this in mind.
Thanks to all that responded.

shegirl

Dunroamin wrote: »

He was drunk - you're overreacting.

Agreed.

What did you want other people to do to 'help you'?

Raksha

Op, thank you for caring about your friend

Pinkbubbles

shegirl wrote: »

Agreed.

What did you want other people to do to 'help you'?

Stupid as it sounds, I think interaction from another adult could have been appropriate. They could've told him to quieten down, as could have the bus driver and threatened him with removal from the bus. Especially since the bus is signposted with, abusive or threatening behaviour is not tolerated. Though I'm not sure if this extends beyond the driver?

May be idealistic to think someone would be concerned or bothered, but I am ever the optimist.

Just a quick note, did anyone get the reference to the doorbell comment I'm a little intrigued, not a phrase I've heard before.

BitterAndTwisted

In my experience people will challenge those being abusive to strangers on public transport, whether it's racially motivated or not.

The difficulty comes when the perpetrators are drunk/drugged as they are very, very unpredictable. Who knows whether they will kick off and start with physical abuse? None of us. In such circumstances discretion really is the better part of valour.

balletshoes

Pinkbubbles wrote: »

Stupid as it sounds,
I think interaction from another adult could have been appropriate. They could've told him to quieten down,
as could have the bus driver and threatened him with removal from the bus. Especially since the bus is signposted with, abusive or threatening behaviour is not tolerated. Though I'm not sure if this extends beyond the driver?

May be idealistic to think someone would be concerned or bothered, but I am ever the optimist.

Just a quick note, did anyone get the reference to the doorbell comment I'm a little intrigued, not a phrase I've heard before.

the adults on the bus were ignoring him for a reason - as any interaction with a drunken idiot just encourages them to carry on.

barbiedoll

I was on a bus a couple of years ago, when a pair of drunk guys started making very abusive comments about "foreigners" and black people. Unfortunately for them, the bus was full of middle-aged black women who made a huge noise and a lot of fuss. The driver stopped the bus and threw the men off, the women and the rest of the passengers (me included) all cheered and clapped him. Not everyone will stand by and listen to abuse but people do tend to mind their own business, they are scared of "getting involved" and are fearful for their safety.

Don't let this put you and your friend off from travelling on public transport, these incidents are relatively few and far between, during the day at least (a lot more common on night buses though!). You should try reporting it to the bus company, some of them have cameras on the vehicles, they may have a recording of him. There's no reason why your friend's parents will have to know, she won't have to give a phone number or address if she doesn't want to. This sort of crime is seriously under-reported, if the bus company doesn't know that it's going on, they can't do anything about it.

Pinkbubbles

balletshoes wrote: »

the adults on the bus were ignoring him for a reason - as any interaction with a drunken idiot just encourages them to carry on.

Fine, I'll let that go. Thanks for the perspective.

Not too pleased about the smirking supporters though :mad:

Just going to move on. :cool:

elisebutt65

My brother intervened once, trying to stop someone being racially harassed on the bus. They (the perpetrators) followed him off on the bus and proceeded to give him a kicking until the police were called and the cowards ran off. My brother's a big, but scrawny, lad, but there were 3 of them; EDL/BNP types with huge boots on. My brother just curled up and protected his head as best he could & suffered really bad bruising & cracked ribs.
He says he'd do it again. I wouldn't, but I would ask the bus driver to radio for assistance.

ILW

Pinkbubbles wrote: »

Stupid as it sounds, I think interaction from another adult could have been appropriate. They could've told him to quieten down, as could have the bus driver and threatened him with removal from the bus. Especially since the bus is signposted with, abusive or threatening behaviour is not tolerated. Though I'm not sure if this extends beyond the driver?

May be idealistic to think someone would be concerned or bothered, but I am ever the optimist.

Just a quick note, did anyone get the reference to the doorbell comment I'm a little intrigued, not a phrase I've heard before.

Would you have confronted the drunk on this occasion with nobody to back you up?