``Don`t mess with Boston Buzz` Tour Tram ``

Taken on a tourist trolley recently in Boston. ``Buzz`` the tour operator goes Irish on anyone who dares to use a cell phone while he`s orating his tour. After this incident, the poor old lady behind us got an incoming call on her cell and had to practically whisper into the phone that she would have to call them back. Note the ``Tips are appreciated`` sign behind the driver`s seat. Think Buzz counts on them?

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Boston;
• trolley;
• tram

[LilBeanie01]

by the way, it isn't a Tram, it is a Trolley (Bus)

[Acornart]

Agree with you pulling over. Or, better yet, draw attention to offending passenger by announcing loudly to other passengers that you will proceed once ``man in grey jacket`` etc. has finished their call. The glares from other passengers should hopefully shame them into hanging up. As a tour operator I am sure you agree that passenger safety should take priority. Heated exchanges with rude passengers can escalate very quickly (it got pretty tense in our trolley). We had our baby in front.

[Acornart]

Now, I`m Irish as well and always up for the occasional broo-ha ha, however, not when my 4 month old son is present. Buzz was very nice to us when we got on the tram and seems like a great guy; it was clearly a case of frustration from dealing with too many inconsiderate people on cell phones; but also agreed, he should not have handled it that way. BTW: love the handle `feckinpaddy``.

[Acornart]

Agreed, it is very annoying when people are on their cell phones when they are supposed to be paying attention; even more annoying for the people sitting nearby who have paid for the tour. However, it got pretty tense in that tram for a moment and I wasn`t sure if a brawl was going to break out. cont`d next posting:

[LilBeanie01]

...and I can vouch. I had a woman who answered her cell phone, I told her NO cell phones, she imediately apologized but it was her husband in Iraq...this was the only exception. She kept it under 5 minutes due to him, and I let her quietly talk to her husband who was fighting. That phone call, could of been their last one and so that was the only time I allowed it. Otherwise, yes, I will tell you that I will pick on you if you talk on your cell and I do.

[LilBeanie01]

Being a tour guide for more than 7 years, I have out right, stopped the trolley, and told people to get off their cell phones. If I tell them time and time again NO CELL PHONES, and they continue to be rude, loud and talk for more than just a few minutes, then yes, I will call them out. This man and his whole crew were rude and disrespectful to the idea of a NARRATED TOUR. And if it was a real emergency, then he would of stated that in the beginning but he didn't...

[LilBeanie01]

What these people fail to mention, is how long were they actually talking on their cell phones for? You can see that they continue to talk well after Buzz tells them to stop, this cell phone talk was more than just a few minutes, and they were loud and rude. This is not their home town, this is a narrated tour of Boston

People paid good money to hear Buzz talk, not some man talk over and over again in a different language.

[Feckinpaddy29]

Just to add to what I wrote below, I also give tours for Old Town Trolley in Boston and I love what I do but I also know what it can be like on some days, especially during peak season. We already have A LOT of distractions while giving tours and a cell phone conversation in our ear can be extremely iritating and it is also just plain rude! Very often it is not an emergency, it is someone just chatting.

I have to say though that I never would have done what Buzz did in that situation!

[Feckinpaddy29]

I have to say that Buzz did handal that situation completely the wrong way.

To stop the trolley, stand up and singularly yell at someone is not at all what one should do, However, In Buzz's defense I have to say that It does get very frustrating when you give 4-5 tours a day in the middle of the summer in 90 degree heat while fighting Boston traffic and someone starts talking loudly on their cell phone after having made the anouncment to "Please turn off your cellphones" for the 50th time!