Prams, Buses and the people who ride them.

This post was been long sitting in my brain, Mari knows. Finally, something happened last week that gave me a reason to post it. My neighbor said I should send it to the newspapers, but who knows. I was trained to be a constant learner of culture and be Christ-like in my actions. Then this happened I was perhaps anything but. The Lord has forgiven me and hopefully I learn from it.

Read On:

On 15 May 2008, I sat across from Iso Omena (It's a Mall we came to surprise my mother-in-law) for bus 35 to arrive. I was with my two young children and myself waiting for the 10:50 bus. I wanted to make sure I arrived early to our side of the city so I could feed the children and put them down for naps.

However, upon waiting a group of children and two adult women (one with a pram) came to the same stop. I was hoping there was space for both of us for the bus was to arrive shortly. As the bus arrived, one lady rushed the children to the front of the bus as the other cut in front of me to get on. Unfortunately, there was already a pram user on the bus (Only two prams per bus allowed).

Quite disturbed I got on the bus anyway with our double pram and could barely get out the words, "Anteeksi, mutta olin ensinmainen." (Sorry, but I was first). Since I am a foreigner trying to learn Finnish I understood the bus driver to say something about it not being safe with three prams or something to that extent. The lady said nothing. I told the bus driver "Anteeksi, Sorri" (I apologized) pulled my children off the bus in anger. Being six months pregnant I began to cry feeling taken advantage of. 

Several things I want to address with this experience:

One, I want to apologize and ask for forgiveness for my attitude getting off the buss and should have communicated to the group where I was going. (They may have only needed to drive down the road a bit, and I needed to drive 40 minutes away to the last stop!). Perhaps then they would have been gracious enough to let me on before them.

Secondly, the fact is I was waiting first. If there is some rule I am unaware of, please let me know. I consider myself a learner in this culture and need to grow where needed.

Lastly, I ask all pram users and those physically handicapped to be considerate in helping each other out. I am speaking to myself too. Us pram users are quite honored to use the Helsinki area transportation system for free without being charged 3.80 euros. 

I thank those who were involved in making this happen. Overall I have had  great experiences of others helping, showing kindness, on and off the busses and trains. Granted, some of my friends in neighboring countries carry their kids everywhere or have to really fight to be first in line, so I am grateful most Finns will wait their turn, take a number, and offer others to go first.