Sisters Unite!

I do a daily commute into Birmingham city centre by bus and quite often it is an unpleasant experience for many reasons. Given the choice, I am inclined to believe that I would prefer to drive in or, as a second, go by train. My colleagues who travel by rail seem to have a better time of it, or maybe I am under an illusion in this.

Sometimes however, something wonderful can emerge out of the dross.

A few days ago, I was on the top deck trying to read, when the usual happened: loud music, not to my taste, including profane lyrics, and almost definately very very poor sound quality and cigarette smoke wafting its ugly way along to where I am sitting - towards the front for safety reasons.

I can tell from the voices that there are several male youths sitting at the back having a good old yarn; nothing like a bit of cussing and ranting to promote a feeling of 'bon homie' between friends. The smoke and sounds are almost without a doubt coming from these enchanting young men, I think, but it is was getting on my nerves and I wanted them to stop. So I took a deep breath, put on a charming smile and spoke in a polite voice. Could you stop smoking - please, and turn your 'music' down. Thank you. But of course they didn't.

I turned to address them once again but the young and beautiful black woman sitting directly behind me, hair extensions and high fashion queen, cut in.

"Hey maun, tun dat naasty rackit dauwn n stop dat stinky smokin n show a bit more respec, n Wilson, does yo Mum know you doin dat, cos yous still a baby?"

Then she turned back and we smiled at one another - and then they stopped!