"Thank you!"

[PHILIPE]

On numerous occasions, I have heard the Conductor say - "Thank you for travelling with Arriva Trains Wales". I always say "Thank you very much" to the Driver when alighting from a bus. Some of them don't even grunt then or when purchasing/processing ticket.

 

[tsr]

I've taken to saying 'good morning' to our London commuters while I wait at the entrance to the station platforms from the car park to slam doors on HSTs. It's amazing the amount of stunned looks you get followed by a pretty happy response, ha. Many of them now say good morning to me before I say it to them. I shall probably maintain the practice It works both ways I suppose!

Sadly, I often find it's the opposite - if any staff on a gateline or checking my ticket at the entrance/exit to the station make eye contact with me, I will say "Good morning" (or as appropriate for time of day) to them. They look pretty shocked sometimes, but normally respond!

I just think it's polite, especially as gateline staff at quieter stations in the middle of Penalty Fare Zones may otherwise only speak to passengers when they are asked to open a barrier to let a buggy/bike/luggage through, or are perhaps asked directions.

 

[L&Y Robert]

I remember as a very small boy - it'd be the late 40s - my Grandad thanking and tipping! the engine driver on arrival (from Brierfield) at Blackpool, where we kids were being taken for our annual holls. I saw other dads doing it too, so it was not an uncommon thing. It seemed to me, then,as a child, that the engine crew had worked hard, used their expertise and inginuity, and againt all the odds, "Got us through", and we should be truly grateful for what they had managed to do!

 

[Darren R]

Something I thought was a nice touch was when all the staff onboard a XC service alighted from the train at it's terminating station and smiled and thanked passengers as a group as they passed to exit the station.

The staff onboard that day were a very friendly bunch and unfortunately I haven't experienced anything similar after this.

Virgin staff do the same. (At least they do for 1st class passengers - not sure about Pleb Class! )

I always make a point of saying thank-you and bidding the guard good-bye as I disembark. Living in NorthernLand many of the stations I use are unstaffed, so I always board the train at the rear so that the guard doesn't have far to walk to issue my ticket. I sometimes watch at unstaffed stations as one person gets on right at the very front of the train. Guard thendespatches, goes into cab to get his Avantix and paraphernalia, walks full length of train - only to pass me again a few seconds later heading back to cab as passenger already had ticket. That must be bloody annoying!

I also live beside a railway line. One night, as I was waiting for the kettle to boil, I idly stood at the kitchen window and watched as a train went past. As it did so, the guard waved at me from the rear cab window! I was so surprised that the train was gone before I had chance to respond - I actually felt quite rude at failing to wave back!

 

[Be3G]

I also live beside a railway line. One night, as I was waiting for the kettle to boil, I idly stood at the kitchen window and watched as a train went past. As it did so, the guard waved at me from the rear cab window! I was so surprised that the train was gone before I had chance to respond - I actually felt quite rude at failing to wave back!

That reminds me, I have read that the sleeper drivers will on occasion wave at any ramblers/hikers wandering near the railway line in the Scottish highlands.

 

[bnm]

Travelling Chef yesterday seemed really surprised and humbled when I personally thanked and tipped her for the wonderful scran she had cooked for me.

 

[Johnny_w]

I always say please and Thank you to the guard. Will often trade a Thanks I see the driver.

Common courtesy costs nothing, but often brightens people's day.

By the same token a miserable guard is often met by my overly happy 'good morning' a really miserable I'll suggest too cheer up!

I hate miserable people.

JW

 

[Scotrail84]

Up here people say thanks to us/me all the time. Then again us scots are a friendly bunch.

 

[CC 72100]

I also usually say "thank you" when my ticket is checked too, I'm not sure exactly why, but it just seems the natural thing to do for me.

I do the same, and again, I'm don't know why! Perhaps it's human instinct that if someone has taken an interest in something that you own*, that you thank them for their attention? Same for cleaners or RPIs when they come through the train. I also say morning/afternoon/evening when I hand over the ticket too, I guess that they must see so many miserable people everyday that you may as well make an effort...

I'll always say thanks to the guard when alighting at a local door, or if they've been really helpful/chatty and friendly during the journey, but never speak to the drivers, although their services are appreciated nonetheless.

*ok, so I know that tickets are technically property of the railway, but you know what I mean!