Smiles Away

I've shifted my work hours starting Friday the 24th in line with our brand name that claims we never sleep.  So now I work from 10AM to 6:15PM (or so I'm told).   I can theoretically catch the M61 or 610X bus at 9AM and still make it to work on time.

They recently installed a traffic light and pedestrian lane about fifty metres from my bus stop.  This means that instead of making a mad dash across the road like a human Frogger, I can now wait for the traffic light to turn red and cross the street in a calm, orderly fashion. Of course this will entail a longer walk because the pedestrian lane is AFTER the bus stop whereas I would previously make a run to cross the street BEFORE the bus stop.  

Yesterday, I left the house a little before 9AM and walked towards the bus stop.  I saw my City-bound 610X bus at the bus stop but the light was still green.  I didn't want to cross illegally just to catch the bus so I waited across the street for the lights to turn. By the time the traffic light turned red to allow the pedestrians to cross, the bus had closed its door and moved forward towards the pedestrian lane.   

As I crossed the street, I motioned to the Chinese-looking driver as if to ask whether he would still let me in.  He smiled as he shook his head.  I acknowledged that I knew he could not take me in and waved him good bye. 

The next bus arrived soon after and off to the city I went.

I arrived at the city at about 9:40AM and walked towards the office.  I passed by the side of the Queen Victoria Building where I would normally take my homeward bound bus in the afternoon or evening.  As I approached the bus stop, I saw a 610X pull over and open its door to pick up passengers.  I glanced at the driver as I walked past the bus and saw it was the same driver from earlier that morning, driving the bus I had missed at the bus stop on the way to work.    

I gave him a smile as if to say "I made it, don't worry."  He recognised me immediately and gave me the thumbs up with a big smile.  

Smile at a stranger and get a smile back.   

It was a good way to start the day, a good way to start the year.

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!