Buses Quote by Bill Bryson
““They are taking away all the nice things there because they are impractical, as if that were reason enough – the red phone-boxes, the pound note, those open London buses that you can leap on and off. There is almost no experience in life that makes you look and feel more suave than jumping on or off a moving London bus. But they aren’t practical. They require two men (one to drive and one to stop thugs from kicking the crap out of the Pakistani gentleman at the back) and that is uneconomical, so they have to go. And before long there will be no more milk in bottles delivered to the doorstep or sleepy rural pubs and the countryside will be mostly shopping centres and theme parks. Forgive me. I don’t mean to get upset. But you are taking my world away from me, piece by little piece, and sometimes it just pisses me off. Sorry.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Road to Little Dribbling, 2015
Nostalgia for disappearing cultural quirks and everyday pleasures, lamenting modern efficiency that erodes them.
In simple terms: Missing old, quirky things hurts.
Key Takeaway
Cherish and protect unique traditions.
Themes
nostalgia
modernity
loss
culture
change
Mood
bitancholy
reflective
defiant
Type
observational
personal
When to use this quote
- Travel writing
- personal essay
- social commentary
Key Concepts
Cultural preservation
urbanization
consumerism
Practical Applications
- Everyday life
- public transport
- local commerce
- rural services
- heritage sites
Questions to Reflect On
- What small tradition could you protect?
- How does convenience affect cultural richness?
A Different Perspective
Modern efficiency can overlook human joy and community identity.
