--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They used to laugh at me when I refused…" description: "\"They used to laugh at me when I refused to ride on all those double decker buses, all because there was no driver on the top.\" — Joni Mitchell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/joni-mitchell-1160_bus_they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused_870841.png" --- # They used to laugh at me when I refused to ride on all… ![“They used to laugh at me when I refused to ride on all those double decker buses, all because there was no driver on the top.” quote by Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/joni-mitchell-1160_bus_they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused_870841.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/joni-mitchell-1160_bus_they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused_870841.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/joni-mitchell-1160_bus_they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused_870841.png) > “They used to laugh at me when I refused to ride on all those double decker buses, all because there was no driver on the top.” [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker recalls being mocked for rejecting double‑deck buses because they lacked a driver on the upper level, highlighting absurdity and personal conviction against popular opinion. **In simple terms:** Being mocked for refusing a nonsensical practice. Key Takeaway Stand firm when logic contradicts popular trends. Themes individualism conformity absurdity Mood reflective defiant Type personal social When to use this quote - public transport debates - personal integrity - social ridicule Key Concepts social pressure critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - Why do people cling to illogical norms? - How do you handle ridicule for rational choices? A Different Perspective May be misinterpreted as literal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) ## Related quotes > [I wave to the double-decker buses from my bike, but the passengers never wave back. Why? Am I not an attraction?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-byrne/i-wave-to-the-double-decker-buses-from-my-bike-but-the-passengers/) [David Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-byrne/) > [“Ningependa kujitokeza leo kutoa salamu zangu za rambirambi kwa Watu wa Musoma; kutokana na ajali mbaya ya mabasi ya J4 Express, Mwanza Coach, na…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/ningependa-kujitokeza-leo-kutoa-salamu-zangu-za-rambirambi-kwa-watu/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [“Values aren't buses," she said shortly. "They're not supposed to get you anywhere. They're supposed to define who you are. And I'd rather be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-crusie/values-aren-t-buses-she-said-shortly-they-re-not-supposed-to-get-you/) [Jennifer Crusie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-crusie/) > [I used to get two buses to school, and you'd see more or less everyone in the city centre, so I kind of knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-welbeck/i-used-to-get-two-buses-to-school-and-you-d-see-more-or-less-everyone/) [Danny Welbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-welbeck/) > [“I refuse to use buses and trains, if you’re over the age of twenty-five and regularly seen on a bus you’ve failed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-cater/i-refuse-to-use-buses-and-trains-if-you-re-over-the-age-of-twenty/) Joe Cater > [I've worked as a labourer, driven taxis and school buses, and been a car mechanic - whatever I could do just to get by.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-monteith/i-ve-worked-as-a-labourer-driven-taxis-and-school-buses-and-been-a/) [Cory Monteith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-monteith/) > [When I was in school, I used to look out the window and see the big red double-deck buses driving by. It just looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-johnson/when-i-was-in-school-i-used-to-look-out-the-window-and-see-the-big/) [Brian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-johnson/) > [Believe me, it jabs you. When you're on the side of buses and New York loves you, you love to go out there every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-lansbury/believe-me-it-jabs-you-when-you-re-on-the-side-of-buses-and-new-york/) [Angela Lansbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-lansbury/) > [“I finally understood why so much monkey business happened in the backs of buses. Put us in close proximity, with wheels spinning under us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-anderson-kurk/i-finally-understood-why-so-much-monkey-business-happened-in-the/) [Laura Anderson Kurk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-anderson-kurk/) > [Some people go to L.A. just to see recognizable people. There are tour buses. But in New York, everyone seems a little less into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/some-people-go-to-l-a-just-to-see-recognizable-people-there-are-tour/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [A quote from a Girl: Boys are very much like buses, you wait for 1 for ages and then suddenly 3 come at the same time!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/a-quote-from-a-girl-boys-are-very-much-like-buses-you-wait-for-1-for/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [I have driven school buses, sold egg rolls and painted houses, and I have often wondered what my life would have been like if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/i-have-driven-school-buses-sold-egg-rolls-and-painted-houses-and-i/) [John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/) > [The problem of getting from home to the metro, BRT or bus stop makes many people take their cars to work. Why not start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-banerjee/the-problem-of-getting-from-home-to-the-metro-brt-or-bus-stop-makes/) [Abhijit Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-banerjee/) > [“My mother always said - "Never run after a man or a bus - there is always another one coming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-kiros/my-mother-always-said-never-run-after-a-man-or-a-bus-there-is-always/) Tessa Kiros > [If I was Mayor of London, I would take the congestion charge off. I'd keep the bike lanes. And buses free on a Thursday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dereck-chisora/if-i-was-mayor-of-london-i-would-take-the-congestion-charge-off-i-d/) [Dereck Chisora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dereck-chisora/) ## More by Joni Mitchell > [They paved paradise and put up a parkin lot With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot Don't it always seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/they-paved-paradise-and-put-up-a-parkin-lot-with-a-pink-hotel-a/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [Abstract Expressionism was invented by New York drunks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/abstract-expressionism-was-invented-by-new-york-drunks/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [I have one piece of music, since 1997, and I don't see it having lyrics. Where does it go in this world? So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/i-have-one-piece-of-music-since-1997-and-i-don-t-see-it-having-lyrics/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [Musically, I would never run dry. Any time I sit down to an instrument, I could write a song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/musically-i-would-never-run-dry-any-time-i-sit-down-to-an-instrument/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [You snipe so steady, you snub so snide, so rip and ready to diminish and deride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/you-snipe-so-steady-you-snub-so-snide-so-rip-and-ready-to-diminish/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [I loved Debussy, Stravinsky, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, anything with romantic melodies, especially the nocturnes. Nietzsche was a hero, especially with 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra.' He gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/i-loved-debussy-stravinsky-chopin-tchaikovsky-anything-with-romantic/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [When the spirit of child's play enters into the creative process, it's a wonderful force and something to be nurtured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/when-the-spirit-of-child-s-play-enters-into-the-creative-process-it-s/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [Americans have decided to be stupid and shallow since 1980.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/americans-have-decided-to-be-stupid-and-shallow-since-1980/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [I was young for my age. Not as naïve as they expected. I don't know why I seem to bring that out in people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/i-was-young-for-my-age-not-as-na-ve-as-they-expected-i-don-t-know-why/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [This is a nation that has lost the ability to be self-critical, and that makes a lie out of the freedoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/this-is-a-nation-that-has-lost-the-ability-to-be-self-critical-and/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [Land of snap decisions, land of short attention spans, nothing is savored long enough to really understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/land-of-snap-decisions-land-of-short-attention-spans-nothing-is/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [I like my freedom. I like to do my own grocery shopping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/i-like-my-freedom-i-like-to-do-my-own-grocery-shopping/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [I'm not a pitiable creature. It's just that I suffer very eloquently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/i-m-not-a-pitiable-creature-it-s-just-that-i-suffer-very-eloquently/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [I can't remember anything I ever wrote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/i-can-t-remember-anything-i-ever-wrote/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) [Explore all 281 Joni Mitchell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) ## More Bus quotes > [“You go into extinction by being obsessed about becoming something else and then travelling in the wrong car while your real self keeps waiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/you-go-into-extinction-by-being-obsessed-about-becoming-something/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Literature transforms and intensifies ordinary language, deviates systematically from everyday speech. If you approach me at a bus stop and murmur Thou still unravished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/literature-transforms-and-intensifies-ordinary-language-deviates/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [I only started driving lessons because of comedy - before that, there's be no need. There was a bus from where I lived to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-millican/i-only-started-driving-lessons-because-of-comedy-before-that-there-s/) [Sarah Millican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-millican/) > [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [When I came back, after all those stories about Hitler and his snub, I came back to my native country, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/when-i-came-back-after-all-those-stories-about-hitler-and-his-snub-i/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) > [No-deal Brexit could be Boris Johnson's biggest deception yet - worse than the Boris bus or the lies that had him sacked as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-davey/no-deal-brexit-could-be-boris-johnson-s-biggest-deception-yet-worse/) [Ed Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-davey/) > [I'm very proud of being Italian-American, but people don't realize that the mafia is just this aberration. The real community is built on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chazz-palminteri/i-m-very-proud-of-being-italian-american-but-people-don-t-realize/) [Chazz Palminteri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chazz-palminteri/) > [The idea of photography as evidence is pure bullshit. A photo is no more proof of any reality than what you may hear being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-riboud/the-idea-of-photography-as-evidence-is-pure-bullshit-a-photo-is-no/) [Marc Riboud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-riboud/) > [I don't think anything happens without the press, one way or the other. I think it's all done for it. You saw it start,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/i-don-t-think-anything-happens-without-the-press-one-way-or-the-other/) [Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/) > [And the flavor of Pippa's kiss--bittersweet and strange--stayed with me all the way back uptown, swaying and sleepy as I sailed home on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-tartt/and-the-flavor-of-pippa-s-kiss-bittersweet-and-strange-stayed-with-me/) [Donna Tartt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-tartt/) > [Our bodies penetrate the sofas upon which we sit and the sofas penetrate our bodies. The motorbus rushes into the houses which it passes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-boccioni/our-bodies-penetrate-the-sofas-upon-which-we-sit-and-the-sofas/) [Umberto Boccioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-boccioni/) > [Back in the day, when we'd get into a town, I would go in the phone book and look up record stores. Then I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-schneider/back-in-the-day-when-we-d-get-into-a-town-i-would-go-in-the-phone/) [Fred Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-schneider/) > [I quietly work with my computer on the tour bus, and then I wait to make my more natural rhythms when I get home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jain/i-quietly-work-with-my-computer-on-the-tour-bus-and-then-i-wait-to/) [Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jain/) > [I can see that I imagine all kinds of rejection that never happens. I can see that I beg and plead for love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/i-can-see-that-i-imagine-all-kinds-of-rejection-that-never-happens-i/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [Perhaps we've time to have a look at the Number Thirty-One bus queue before we turn in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-trillin/perhaps-we-ve-time-to-have-a-look-at-the-number-thirty-one-bus-queue/) [Calvin Trillin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-trillin/) Browse all 1,135 Bus quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "They used to laugh at me when I refused to ride on all those double decker buses, all because there was no driver on the top.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joni Mitchell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused-to-ride-on-all-those-double/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bus" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused-to-ride-on-all-those-double/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/joni-mitchell-1160_bus_they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused_870841.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/joni-mitchell-1160_bus_they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused_870841.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/joni-mitchell-1160_bus_they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused_870841.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“They used to laugh at me when I refused to ride on all those double decker buses, all because there was no…” — Joni Mitchell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joni Mitchell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "They used to laugh at me...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused-to-ride-on-all-those-double/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/they-used-to-laugh-at-me-when-i-refused-to-ride-on-all-those-double/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```