Where I grew up, most lines only had the driver so he also had to sell and validate tickets, so you’d always enter and exit through the front door. And they all knew my family. So you’re damn right I thanked them every single time even as a little kid.

The habit has stayed with me through life even if I don’t take the bus anymore. One of my exes even thought I was trying to flirt with the nice lady at some kinda kiosk selling me some snacks or something in Stockholm. We live in Estonia and were on a one day cruise. I was literally never going to see that lady again lmao, I just always say thank you and good bye.

And yes, you’re right, it is a thankless job. I already get to sit way too much as a software engineer. My grandpa had to do it in front of a large window and the sun is out for 16+ hours a day in the summer here. Hell, in his day they didn’t even have AC, that only really became a thing in like the last few years of his career since it’s not like the company could afford nice buses before the '10s.