Bus drivers told to cut 'babe' greeting

5:50pm Monday 30th January 2012 in News By Bill Gardner

Bus drivers have been ticked off for calling female passengers ‘babe’.

A warning on a bulletin board for Brighton and Hove Buses told drivers that some customers might also take offence if they were called ‘love’ or ‘darling’.

The rap on the knuckles came after a complaint from an irate woman who said the word babe was “demeaning”.

One bus driver, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s just the height of political correctness. The drivers are the best judge of how to speak to customers.

“People in Brighton don’t want their bus drivers to be robots. The company are just covering their own backs.

“But you’ll always get some people that just want to complain about everything.”

“People in Brighton don’t want their bus drivers to be robots."

Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company managing director Roger French said: “We ask our staff to be friendly but professional, but a lady complained to us that she thought the language used by one driver was demeaning to her.

“But I don’t think incidents like this are very common. We try and take a lot of customer feedback so we thought we’d pass this on. The drivers will understand and take it in good spirit."

But Mr French said the warning did not signal the end of the friendly bus driver.

“We’ll be even friendlier because our drivers won’t be saying anything that could cause offence.

“Being personable and good-humoured is a big part of working on the buses.”

The message on the bulletin board headed ‘Speaking to Customers’ said: “Please can drivers be aware that some of our customers may take offence at having terms such as ‘love’, ‘darling’ and ‘babe’ directed towards them.

“This can be seen by some as being a sexist comment, as a recent complaint has highlighted.”

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Comments(71)

Hove Actually says...
6:21pm Mon 30 Jan 12

Of course, but that might be because I am a man............

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Theminnie says...
6:58pm Mon 30 Jan 12

Totally agree, find it offensive.

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Hotbeans says...
7:02pm Mon 30 Jan 12

She must have been up on blocks.

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ICantThinkOfAName says...
7:03pm Mon 30 Jan 12

Does this mean they can't address a male passenger as "mate".

I hate being called "sir'" in case that's the way the speaker thinks that is how "cur"
is pronounced.

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Isaac Rinkfern says...
7:06pm Mon 30 Jan 12

As a bloke, should I have been offended when a female bus driver calls me "babe", "love" or "darlin'"?
I think the problem may be "classism" and not "sexism", maybe the drivers could be made to wear tuxedos and ballgowns, and made to address us as "good sir" and "m'lady".

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paul76 says...
7:11pm Mon 30 Jan 12

Maybe if they were robots they would drive the buses in a safe manor. And they are not the friendliest bunch. Unlike the stagecoach drivers who will give you the time of day, and don't feel the need to run red lights etc.

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Sean Jenkins says...
7:22pm Mon 30 Jan 12

"But Mr French said the warning did not signal the end of the friendly bus driver"

Good one. Although maybe they should be directed towards use of the indicator and mirror, and then move on to more advanced things such as 'talking'.

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bigfella777 says...
8:01pm Mon 30 Jan 12

None of them ever call me babe.

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misskkat says...
8:31pm Mon 30 Jan 12

it's rare enough that i even get a grunt of acknowledgement, half the time they don't even check my ticket!

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Gelatine magic says...
8:39pm Mon 30 Jan 12

I remember the fad of steam powered buses in the nineties. The drivers were all forced to wear victorian costumes meant for children which added to their discomfort. They would always rise and say "salutations siiiiiiir!" whilst their stovepipe hats rose several inches above their heads and trembled with an eerie whistling sound.

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sdhgfhfuyt says...
9:36pm Mon 30 Jan 12

while i am usually vociferous in my hatred of the senior management, 90% of the bus drivers are decent men and women, and i certainly don't mind when either call me that

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AmboGuy says...
9:46pm Mon 30 Jan 12

Theminnie wrote:
Totally agree, find it offensive.
Calm down darlin'.

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Evasivo says...
10:05pm Mon 30 Jan 12

Just another report of Brighton & Hove's atrocious bus drivers. Literally 70% of these drivers can drive but nothing else.

Their manner, courtesy and customer service is absolutely shocking!

They need to be trained properly to deal with the public & not just how to drive a bus.

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Lamia2 says...
11:43pm Mon 30 Jan 12

I'm not at all offended to be called 'babe' or 'love' etc - but as I'm a bit deaf could I request that our lovely bus drivers make sure that they speak up, so I don't miss it? Ta!

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the taffster says...
12:25am Tue 31 Jan 12

whatever next.its political correctness gone mad.i frequently call women babe,including my mrs.by the way have you seen the film babe?

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Cabin fever says...
6:37am Tue 31 Jan 12

Why would you be offended about being called babe? It's a compliment, isn't it?

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Pitviper says...
8:43am Tue 31 Jan 12

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
Blimey. Have you seen the people who use buses? They should be pleased to be called babe.....unless they think the driver is taking the pi** and the babe they are referring to is that Disney pig.
HA HA HA HA you couldn't be more right!!!

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Pitviper says...
8:45am Tue 31 Jan 12

bigfella777 wrote:
None of them ever call me babe.
aw babe maybe one day your prince will come and call you babe!

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alanbarnett says...
8:46am Tue 31 Jan 12

My wife and I live in Spain and recently visited Shoreham where we found the bus service good but expensive, and the drivers helpful and courteous. No complaints from us.

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St Peters says...
9:02am Tue 31 Jan 12

Theminnie wrote:
Totally agree, find it offensive.
Sorry to hear that love.

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mrhappystudent says...
9:27am Tue 31 Jan 12

As a man im often upset when not acknowledged with a "babe" or "sweetheart"...I thought we lived in a progressive city?

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moronslayer says...
10:39am Tue 31 Jan 12

These chauvinst (Disney) pigs. Don't they realise that many of the ladies in Brighton prefer the term 'handsome'?

These bus drivers with their throbbing gear sticks, aggresively wiggling their indicators whilst constantly looking at themselves in those rear-view mirrors. Using such terms of endearment to address ladies to whom they are not even related.

I recall that one of these beasts called my very cute child 'very cute'. what an outrage! I would have called the council to complain but I think they've now got caller ID and don't always answer my daily phone call anymore.

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Pork William says...
11:16am Tue 31 Jan 12

With 15000 Brighton children living in poverty, high rates of homelessness and the greatest number of deaths from drugs in the UK, it's always good to see the Greens dealing with stuff that really matters...

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Pork William says...
11:19am Tue 31 Jan 12

BTW, the reason that I mentioned the Greens is that Jason Kitcat stated in a tweet that he finds women being called 'babe' or 'love' to be offensive

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remluf says...
12:36pm Tue 31 Jan 12

If you go north of Watford and complain about being called 'Love', you would be laughed back to the south!

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sandalman says...
12:53pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Babes wear leggings and seem to eat too much and have mobiles glued to their ears!!

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J Noble Daggett says...
1:07pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Having lived in Brighton for many years I find it incomprehensible that the term 'Babe' by its very definition could be used on all but the top 3% of women living here.
I think it just shows the appalling aspirations and poor standards that these drivers set for themselves. Although if they used the term that would truly describe 97% of the women who use the buses .. I believe they might be even more offended.
Last bus to Whitehawk anyone?

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Bubs says...
1:21pm Tue 31 Jan 12

I quite often get called "Sir" even though I'm a woman. Babe would be an improvement.

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Number Six says...
1:27pm Tue 31 Jan 12

remluf wrote:
If you go north of Watford and complain about being called 'Love', you would be laughed back to the south!
Is there a north of Watford?

Why do people insist on calling my wife and I "you guys"? She isn't a guy. The lumps on her chest should give you a clue

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CharlotteP says...
1:50pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Pork William wrote:
BTW, the reason that I mentioned the Greens is that Jason Kitcat stated in a tweet that he finds women being called 'babe' or 'love' to be offensive
ah good old Kitcat - how kind of him to speak on behalf of all women. Speaking (as a woman) I dont find it offensive at all - do it all you want Brighton bus drivers

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OP8 says...
1:51pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Number Six wrote:
remluf wrote:
If you go north of Watford and complain about being called 'Love', you would be laughed back to the south!
Is there a north of Watford?

Why do people insist on calling my wife and I "you guys"? She isn't a guy. The lumps on her chest should give you a clue
"But Mr French said the warning did not signal the end of the friendly bus driver."

And when can we expect the start?

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ClarkeyCat says...
1:59pm Tue 31 Jan 12

i'd be happier if they started giving change from a tenner without kicking up a fuss

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PorkBoat says...
2:26pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Maybe we should all start addressing each other as "Comrade" or "Citizen" so as not to cause offence, and also to get a bit of practice in for the near future.

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dawnie112 says...
2:57pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Blimey all this fuss over one stuffy bus traveller!!! Perhaps the lady in question should get herself a chauffeur who can call her madam!!
What a knee jerk reaction from Roger French - political correctness gone mad. He should have just given her a free bus ticket and an apology - or told her to get a life!!!!

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mrhappystudent says...
3:12pm Tue 31 Jan 12

I personally like it when people call me babe, sugar, sexy, gorgeous, darling, fantastic lover, future husband, massive junk or any other endearing term. In fact i love it...I just like human contact. Does anyone want to hang out today?

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sng165 says...
4:29pm Tue 31 Jan 12

All this over ONE complaint - get real - its an endearing term in today-speak.
Be flattered - You'd complain if all you got was a grunt, or no greeting at all!
What do you want a 1940's "good morning madam / sir, how can I assist you today?" that would delay the service, and generate more than ONE complaint.
Seems the driver cant do right for doing wrong!
Time management backed their staff!

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Fight Back says...
4:29pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Pork William wrote:
BTW, the reason that I mentioned the Greens is that Jason Kitcat stated in a tweet that he finds women being called 'babe' or 'love' to be offensive
Kitcat should get off his tweeting device and start getting his Green council to listen to the voters.

Any woman, or indeed man, that finds those terms offensive clearly isn't quite all there. With all the problems in the world some silly bint decided to complain about the word "babe" ...... seriously !!!!

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davyboy says...
5:59pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Evasivo wrote:
Just another report of Brighton & Hove's atrocious bus drivers. Literally 70% of these drivers can drive but nothing else.

Their manner, courtesy and customer service is absolutely shocking!

They need to be trained properly to deal with the public & not just how to drive a bus.
i suggest you try the company's training scheme, as customer service is pushed to the top of the agenda. however, i would agree that some are rude, to the point of being officious in some cases. i isn't difficult to be nice, but it works both ways. how about passengers being polite too? as a driver myself, my wife thinks it is being 'over-friendly' to call females 'love', 'darling', or 'babe'.!!! greeting people with a smile and good manner is usually sufficient, oh, and saying thank you when passengers leave too.

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plantwoman says...
9:31pm Tue 31 Jan 12

Have people got nothing better to do than complain about something so trivial! If this is the only thing you have to moan about, you should count yourself very lucky!

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davyboy says...
10:23pm Tue 31 Jan 12

ray ellerton wrote:
as my previous comment somehow hasn't appeared i will repeat.. As Richard Littlejohn would say, the Rubber Jonny Police are sticking their po faced noses in AGAIN.

( perhaps i'm not allowed to mention Mr Littlejohn?)
like it!!

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J Noble Daggett says...
8:26am Wed 1 Feb 12

Number Six wrote:
remluf wrote:
If you go north of Watford and complain about being called 'Love', you would be laughed back to the south!
Is there a north of Watford?

Why do people insist on calling my wife and I "you guys"? She isn't a guy. The lumps on her chest should give you a clue
I would get those lumps seen too. It sounds like it is Benign but you can never tell Matey.

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London Stan says...
9:11am Wed 1 Feb 12

You voted these numpties in. Gaga, not Green. Makes Brighton look third world.

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ray ellerton says...
10:46am Wed 1 Feb 12

Perhaps the comments moderator who care to tell me what was offensive or slanderous about my comment ( in Davyboy's comment above) as it has been removed again?

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Sarah Booker says...
10:57am Wed 1 Feb 12

ray ellerton wrote:
Perhaps the comments moderator who care to tell me what was offensive or slanderous about my comment ( in Davyboy's comment above) as it has been removed again?
Complaints about distasteful turn of phrase. Nothing to do with Richard Littlejohn.

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raymondo999 says...
11:48am Wed 1 Feb 12

A significant minority of bus drivers drive too fast and rush off to prevent people boarding. Yesterday a driver refused to open the doors when the bus was at the stop and i was knocking on the door.

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bigfella777 says...
1:01pm Wed 1 Feb 12

raymondo999 wrote:
A significant minority of bus drivers drive too fast and rush off to prevent people boarding. Yesterday a driver refused to open the doors when the bus was at the stop and i was knocking on the door.
Ha Ha Ha maybe you're not a babe.

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Barquentine says...
2:00pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Myself and a couple of other passengers had to hurl ourselves in front of a bus the other day to get it to stop and pick us up. Maybe the driver might have noticed us if he hadn't been wearing Terminator sunglasses - on a cloudy day...

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diriky says...
2:22pm Wed 1 Feb 12

there is yet again a very good possibility of sensible adult debate being ruined by childish comments! I can see both sides of the debate ,
1=I can see why some would complain at the use of babe love and darling!
but that would be to do with being to "PC" in my opinion as a lad I used to get called love by the old "Dears" (as my mum called them) all this pc stuff is getting ridiculous why not get back to being decent human beings and take words in the manner they are meant ! not as something we want them to mean!!

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Le Premier Cru says...
2:58pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Good point, Diriky.
My guess is the same could be said for a lot of the allegedly racist comments that have filled so many sports column inches recently.

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Cash Cow says...
4:23pm Wed 1 Feb 12

I can't stand being called "Dude" and girls being called "Guys". We have a wonderful language and culture, so why should we aspire to be Americans just because we watch too much rubbish TV.

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ray ellerton says...
4:45pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Sarah Booker wrote:
ray ellerton wrote:
Perhaps the comments moderator who care to tell me what was offensive or slanderous about my comment ( in Davyboy's comment above) as it has been removed again?
Complaints about distasteful turn of phrase. Nothing to do with Richard Littlejohn.
I have re-read the comment and cannot see one word which would cause offense...except maybe to the PC brigade which Mr Littlejohn highlights in his illuminating and very humourous take on society in his books. Are you one of those 'Guardianistas' as he describes them Sarah? If my views do not fall in line with others, does that mean they are not valid? we are still, just about...a democracy

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Sarah Booker says...
5:00pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Every complaint received is carefully considered. A number of people took offence and therefore the comment was removed.

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ray ellerton says...
5:08pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Sarah Booker wrote:
Every complaint received is carefully considered. A number of people took offence and therefore the comment was removed.
Ahh yes...your reply vindicates the last comment that i made above. Thank you :-)

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Cliff Huxtable says...
6:09pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Must have been her time of the month...

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the taffster says...
6:10pm Wed 1 Feb 12

i think the smell of stale flatulence on buses is more of a concern than the above report.you could cut the air with a knife on the 700 sometimes.security word:twitching brown eye

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sussexguy says...
6:56pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Well, they did not print the word but it is a five letter one beginning with "b".

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ghost bus driver says...
12:27am Thu 2 Feb 12

OP8 wrote:
Number Six wrote:
remluf wrote:
If you go north of Watford and complain about being called 'Love', you would be laughed back to the south!
Is there a north of Watford?

Why do people insist on calling my wife and I "you guys"? She isn't a guy. The lumps on her chest should give you a clue
"But Mr French said the warning did not signal the end of the friendly bus driver."

And when can we expect the start?
Next Tuesday at 12:29 pm

Report this post »

ghost bus driver says...
12:35am Thu 2 Feb 12

I wonder whether instances of this will increase, now that drivers become aware of it. It has become something of a joke in the canteens.

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SMJack says...
12:45am Thu 2 Feb 12

Of course people saying it must be her time of the month etc. aren't going to think a woman should be offended by it. There is a difference with being too PC and being a Neanderthal (talking about the comments not the bus drivers). It is possible to be a normal person in between the two, friendly with out being over personal. It doesn't have to be one way or the other.

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ghost bus driver says...
9:34am Thu 2 Feb 12

SMJack wrote:
Of course people saying it must be her time of the month etc. aren't going to think a woman should be offended by it. There is a difference with being too PC and being a Neanderthal (talking about the comments not the bus drivers). It is possible to be a normal person in between the two, friendly with out being over personal. It doesn't have to be one way or the other.
This is true. When someone gets on my bus I just say hello. Pretty safe that. We're not all ogres, remember.

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hawksterone says...
1:40pm Thu 2 Feb 12

blimey,, what next ?? soon as you get into a taxi you get alright darling, so will that be on its way

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Levent says...
4:36pm Thu 2 Feb 12

Theminnie wrote:
Totally agree, find it offensive.
You really do live in a bubble if you find that offensive. I find people on buses that smell of cigarettes B.O, play music, swear,
and are generally rude and annoying offensive. Not a bus driver, who has good intentions, but is judged by the p.c brigade as being demeaning. I'm sure if the intention was to offend, than he/she could find something other then "love" to say, in order to offend you. Don't you think?

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sussexram40 says...
5:11pm Thu 2 Feb 12

The woman who complained was probably a lesbian feminist type. Most normal women like being called babe and words like that. I have a friend who calls the women he meets princess and another who calls every woman he meets gorgeous, as in thanks gorgeous.Fact is they love it and thats why hes so successful with the female species.

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UpOntheHill says...
6:54pm Thu 2 Feb 12

I live by the station and have to deal with bad manners...bad driving...bad attitude and clearly the big bus puffs up the Ego... i say that when bus drivers in london are more helpful that brighton's then there is a seriously something wrong. saying that there are exceptions and a bunch of lovely drivers however as time goes on there becomes less of them :-( Mr French.. invest your money in solid training and monitoring the service levels.

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Kimboo says...
8:19pm Thu 2 Feb 12

here here

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sussexram40 says...
10:25pm Thu 2 Feb 12

Would have thought a woman would take it as a compliment to be called babe. Babes are glamour girls arent they

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BURIRAM says...
7:09am Fri 3 Feb 12

I always call the bus driver Babe, we are lucky to have such fit drivers in there uniforms

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johnboy1 says...
10:34am Fri 3 Feb 12

The lady in question's very reasonable response is in the Guardian
http://www.guardian.
co.uk/commentisfree/
2012/feb/01/dont-cal
l-me-babe-on-the-bus
?INTCMP=SRCH

Report this post »

SpoookaaySpooon says...
3:40pm Fri 3 Feb 12

Levent wrote:
Theminnie wrote:
Totally agree, find it offensive.
You really do live in a bubble if you find that offensive. I find people on buses that smell of cigarettes B.O, play music, swear,
and are generally rude and annoying offensive. Not a bus driver, who has good intentions, but is judged by the p.c brigade as being demeaning. I'm sure if the intention was to offend, than he/she could find something other then "love" to say, in order to offend you. Don't you think?
^ Exactly this.

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clubrob6 says...
3:48pm Fri 3 Feb 12

Hove Actually wrote:
Of course, but that might be because I am a man............
Im also a man darling.

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hubby says...
8:55pm Sat 4 Feb 12

More PC rubbish.

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