Taking long distance buses for transport is one of the most fun and educational experiences that one can ever have. Not only does it help one save cash if planning to tour a new region ,but it also shows one how to meet new people. People need company and friendship, so chatting with strangers or Passengers during traveling can make your experience very interesting. Given the following are some of the tips that will assist you in sharing your experience and in finding other like-minded travelers.
Start with a Smile and Friendly Greeting
Making use of pleasant and welcoming gestures such as a smile and a greeting can help a lot in putting up a familiar face and an acquaintance to fellow passengers on long distance buses. Even when you are not talking, verbal cues that people might use to introduce a pleasant interaction are hailing the bus by saying things like “hello” “good morning.” It is common knowledge that one stands a better chance of initiating a conversation with another friendly and warm person than being punitive or rude.
Choose Your Seat Strategically
That means, the position one chooses to occupy defines their effectiveness as a social entity in a long distance bus. For those seeking company, it may be wise to occupy a mid-rows position as this is normally populated by many people. Seeing or being close to a person who seems to be on good terms with others will also entice you to engage in conversation with that person. Always be conscious of your seatmate and do not impose on them if they do not seem inclined to any conversation.
Share Your Travel Plans and Interests
Using travel plans and interest as the topic of conversation is very suitable if one wishes to engage the other person in conversation and this is usually most likely to happen on long distance bus journeys. Just approach your fellow passengers and try to begin a conversation with them by asking them where they are going or what they intend to do on their trip or if they know any good places to visit at the intended destination. You can also use topics such as favorite traveling experiences or destinations and this will equally create a point of contact.
Engage in Group Activities
Interests may be separate but the passengers, at least, share some areas or zones of contact in the long distance buses. It is important to play a game such as a card game, board game or even watching a movie together.
Offer Help and Be Considerate
As is often the case, providing help to strangers is a perfect icebreaker for making friends. Maybe you assist a lady five floors up with her luggage, or welcome her to join you in a sandwich etc. They always feel like they are not alone. Self-assertiveness that involves being polite and courteous, especially with regard to interpersonal physical and psychological boundaries is also vital in enhancing courtesy during passenger interactions on long distance buses.
Use Social Media and Travel Apps
People with terminals online and mobile applications that people by phone, email, instant messaging or social media, in the course of travel. These are online groups on Facebook, travel forums, or popular traveling meet-up applications such as Meetup which can assist you to find absolutely equivalent lovers of bus tours. It must be noted that creating the above groups before touring could offer a head start when it comes to making friends and arranging for meetups on long distance buses.
Participate in Bus Activities and Events
There is also the possibility that some long distance bus service providers engage passengers in some form of entertainment or even fun-related events such as quizzes, singing or seeing or even stopping over at scenic sights. Engagement in such activities is presumably appropriate since the goal is to socialize and possibly make new friends. Consult with your tour bus service provider if there is such sort of entertainment available during your travel.
Share Your Story and Listen to Others
Listening to each other or telling one’s own story is considered crucial in the formation of friendship that you get to develop when traveling by long distance buses. Every man is interested in sharing his experience, and attentiveness can lead to the establishment of working relations. Use statements that allow the speaker to expand on the topic in a conversational and friendly approach. It also makes you more relatable and approachable when you share similar experiences with others that are going through a similar circumstance.
