Interview

For my interview, my goal was to gain more knowledge on the possible struggles a fellow bus rider may encounter within a suburban area. I was very fortunate to meet one who was able to give me her insights to help me address these struggles in her own perspective. I encountered the same participant multiple times throughout the semester so it was a lot easier for me to address my questions in multiple days and have my goal reached.

Me: What brings you to the bus stop?
Participant: No one was home to give me a ride so I have to take the bus. I take it everyday that I have school.

Me: I see. What do you usually do before it comes?
Participant: I read a book or do some homework. Sometimes, I just watch the cars go by.

Me: That’s nice. It’s probably a hassle to miss the bus, isn’t it?
Participant: It is. Why don’t they change the times here and make it like the city? There, I would see buses and taxis all the time. They came by every 10-15 minutes; it was great!

Me: Lucky you. So it’s that big a difference, right?
Participant: You wouldn’t understand how much I used the bus to meet up with my friends. It’s a shame the buses aren’t like that over here. You miss one bus and you have to wait 2 hours for the next.

Me: Yeah, and I’d feel stupid if I told my teacher I missed the bus. I’m not in high school anymore.
Participant: Yeah, have you missed the bus?

Me: I have and it’s annoying to try to make up the schoolwork. It’s not like the bus shows up on time anyway, right?
Participant: Not in Westchester. Sometimes it comes early, but I hate it when it comes late. Then you have to explain it to your professor that you’re late and my professor gets really mad.

Me: Sorry to hear that. What do your classmates say?
Participant: They usually say nothing. Someone actually offered to give me a ride from school the other week, which was nice of him.

Me: What did you say?
Participant: I said “no thank you” because I felt bad about him having to drive me home before he gets home.

Me: So it’s almost as if he has to drive you home when he really doesn’t?
Participant: Kind of. I want to do things on my own.