The closest you'll get is:
http://www.overheardeverywhere.com/
But that's not quite what you're talking about.
The Japanese have a solution for this: No talking on cell-phones on public transit. Everyone texts. (Nobody talks to fellow passengers either, but I think this is largely a function of transiting alone.)
Not new information. But familiar information. And I second the Overheard sites. Maybe there is even an Overheard on the Bus? And if not, maybe there could be?
I totally wish Americans were more like the Japanese in respect to not communicating with fellow transit passengers. All too often creepy people will sit next to me and try to scrounge a date or just waste my time with inane chatter. This is why I am happy to finally have an ipod again. Person asks me a question, look up with a quizzical look, point to earphones, close eyes. aw, yes. So much better. iPod - the conversation avoider.
And that's exactly the attitude that leads to ridiculous social rudeness--it's a short step from "not talking because you might be found creepy" to "disregarding the existence of everyone else on the transit car."
Sounds like a fun world to live in!
Dogg, this is just the way it must be if you want to discourage weird-ass people from trying to engage you in conversation; I myself have done this multiple times to avoid talking to some questionable characters.
I know you guys are right and there are plenty of crazy people on the bus, but it just seems disingenuous to decry the decline of social politeness whilst assuming that people who talk are "creepy" and consigning them to the "untouchable" caste.
Not all talking people ... just the creepy ones. I contend that it is trivially easy to identify the latter on sight. Also, it's a whole different ball game out there for the pretty girls of the world, who basically have dudes humpin' on their leg uninvited 24/7.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF PUBLIC TRANSIT
Steve, form work, had the idea to make and hand out a series of BUS ETIQUETTE cards, they will all state a various situation, perhaps talking obnoxiously on your cellphone in a crowded, quiet bus - it will inform you that "CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE STEPPED OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS OF PROPER BUS ETIQUETTE! Thanks from All Of Us, For being and Asshole."
It's jut plain fucking rude to talk on your cellphone when the bus is totally silent. When it is full of dumb, loud hipsters, I don't feel so bad about it.
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