This was all covered recently in the miserable drivers thread. I like my own company. I’ll always be polite but like others I’m not interested in some boring conversation for and hour that goes round in circles when I could be reading and using my time constructively. I don’t judge other people who like talking rubbish to each other but on this forum people keep calling people like me miserable or unsociable. It’s just the way I’m am, we’re all different. I also hate running with people. Everybody seems to stop for coffee far too much! I like to push on through to four and a half.
flat to the mat:
newmercman:
Wheel Nut:
I was brought up with drivers who walked into a cafe on the docks and knew everyone. They would walk to the till and buy teas for everyone on the table, like a round in a pub. I doubt that happens anymore.The supermarkets and RDC have killed more than road transport
I remember those days Malc, funny how it was always the same bloke in the cafe first so he never got caught for a round of teas
How similar to your article in Truck-West this month.Don’t get all your ideas from this forum cos they’ve never heard of Stobbies here.
I’ve got plenty of stuff already in the bag for TW, some interesting topics I think, the Editor reckons that I have an edge and wants me to be controversial, it’s a tough assignment, but you know me, I’ll give it a go
I’d say the lack of proper transport cafes is a main cause; I’ll stop in a layby but I’m damned if I’m eating/drinking the stuff they serve there (and I know it winds the vendors up when you take up valuable space in “their” layby and not buy anything it’s fun to see how many evils you get). I’ve noticed though is why do the gobbiest drivers hang around the e-coli van after finishing his lukewarm tea/part cooked burger, retelling the same crap to every driver that comes up to get overcharged?
newmercman:
flat to the mat:
newmercman:
Wheel Nut:
I was brought up with drivers who walked into a cafe on the docks and knew everyone. They would walk to the till and buy teas for everyone on the table, like a round in a pub. I doubt that happens anymore.The supermarkets and RDC have killed more than road transport
I remember those days Malc, funny how it was always the same bloke in the cafe first so he never got caught for a round of teas
How similar to your article in Truck-West this month.Don’t get all your ideas from this forum cos they’ve never heard of Stobbies here.
I’ve got plenty of stuff already in the bag for TW, some interesting topics I think, the Editor reckons that I have an edge and wants me to be controversial, it’s a tough assignment, but you know me, I’ll give it a go
Where do you start ? Pregnant drivers,immigrants,driving standards,hos,then immigrants driving standards(Surrey B.C),should be able to milk it for years,oops again,I meant issues. 
Tell the whole truth and nothing but,ruffle a few feathers on your way through.
switchlogic:
I also hate running with people. Everybody seems to stop for coffee far too much! I like to push on through to four and a half.
im the same Luke, when youre running with people no matter how you try you always end up short of the planned time, I run a 14 hour book which means I can do 6 hours straight, but some guys will stop every 2 or 3 hours for coffee, which in turn brings more ■■■■ breaks, i prefer to hook into it, get where im going as soon as i can and have a longer break
beattun:
switchlogic:
I also hate running with people. Everybody seems to stop for coffee far too much! I like to push on through to four and a half.im the same Luke, when youre running with people no matter how you try you always end up short of the planned time, I run a 14 hour book which means I can do 6 hours straight, but some guys will stop every 2 or 3 hours for coffee, which in turn brings more ■■■■ breaks, i prefer to hook into it, get where im going as soon as i can and have a longer break
Yes exactly. I’d also rather have a longer daily rest than ■■■■ about all over the place stopping here there and everywhere. If I’m doing a straight 9 hour drive, say through France I do 4.5 then have a 45 minute break to the second and then final stint, then I’ll often get 12 or 13 hours off while other are still faffing about
don’t touch me !!! don;t talk to me!!! now go away
switchlogic:
beattun:
switchlogic:
I also hate running with people. Everybody seems to stop for coffee far too much! I like to push on through to four and a half.im the same Luke, when youre running with people no matter how you try you always end up short of the planned time, I run a 14 hour book which means I can do 6 hours straight, but some guys will stop every 2 or 3 hours for coffee, which in turn brings more ■■■■ breaks, i prefer to hook into it, get where im going as soon as i can and have a longer break
Yes exactly. I’d also rather have a longer daily rest than ■■■■ about all over the place stopping here there and everywhere. If I’m doing a straight 9 hour drive, say through France I do 4.5 then have a 45 minute break to the second and then final stint, then I’ll often get 12 or 13 hours off while other are still faffing about
I’m throwing my hat into this ring. I hate running with people and prefer the “Where are we stopping tonight?” “See you there,” option every time I have to run with others. For every extra truck running together the time taken to get anywhere also goes up. I will always help somebody out if I can, with directions or information about a particular run, but please don’t ask me to babysit them every step of the way because it aint going to happen.
One of the attractions of this job for me is I don’t generally like people so not having to work in close proximity or spend time with others is a plus point for me and if that is being unsociable then I am happy to be called that.
orys:
MR VAIN:
The biggest problem is that most won’t speak cos they can never be sure of talking to an english speaking driver .So what?
If he don’t speak English (or any other language you don’t speak) just smile, and move away to your paper.
Am I the only one who has pretended to be a Jonny Foreigner to avoid getting into a convo with some Trumpet 
I prefer to choose who I chat and socialise with that be spoken to out of pure bad luck and timing.
B1 GGK:
orys:
MR VAIN:
The biggest problem is that most won’t speak cos they can never be sure of talking to an english speaking driver .So what?
If he don’t speak English (or any other language you don’t speak) just smile, and move away to your paper.
Am I the only one who has pretended to be a Jonny Foreigner to avoid getting into a convo with some Trumpet
No, I’ve done it on many an occasion. I seem to recall one incident featured in one of my diaries a while back. I’m pretty sure Wheel Nut has mentioned doing it as well.
Hiya …years back when i stayed in digs on the dock road Liverpool when you ordered your meal
the owner told you where to sit.it was on the first table with a empty seat and you told the other
driver/s you name. no sitting on your own. then the owner would sat you,ve met some new friends.
mind you there was,nt so much bull…t ing in them days. you just got on with the job.I must say
this is where you got to find out about jobs. some one would say BLA BLA is leaving a firm
if it was a good job you was on the phone in seconds asking about a start
John
I used to be very social when I drove busses / coaches.
But, 1 too many idiots means I know don’t actually like people.
I’d rather talk on a forum than in person or on a phone (probably because you can then just close the window).
I like to have a laugh with the lads when waiting on the office staff to sort out the notes, but other than that, I’m a cab person, got my laptop, phone (to talk to people I actually want to talk to), tv and books.
Sorry if that’s not ideal for some newbies, but this industry is basically an unsocial one, if you want to chat, go drive a coach
3300John:
Hiya …years back when i stayed in digs on the dock road Liverpool when you ordered your meal
the owner told you where to sit.it was on the first table with a empty sea…
A system still used in French Routiers.
Coffeeholic:
3300John:
Hiya …years back when i stayed in digs on the dock road Liverpool when you ordered your meal
the owner told you where to sit.it was on the first table with a empty sea…A system still used in French Routiers.
And one of the best ways to learn the language, and get wine encore 
I’m a unsociable miserable person (my missus tells me that every time when I’m home) If I wanted company or a chat every time I meet people, I would have started a pub or was a bus driver.
I don’t really like people, and the only person I speak a lot with, is myself.
And what a lot people forget……………… I choose my friends carefully, they may come with the work, but don’t have to.
Not everybody I come across or says hello to me, has the right to speak to me, if I feel I want to speak I open my mouth, if I don’t want to speak, I will ignore you or have rubber ears.
Been there on the big tables in the Autohof’s in Germany, stories as big as a mountain, how much BHP the truck has, how much GBP the driver has…………………………what makes you think I would be interested in that information for one second?
I’m not at all interested in any information, and will sit on my own table or read my paper and answer only decent questions on the level……”Can I have the salt please?”
I drive since 1981 and I have heard most of the stories, and came to the conclusion that most of these guys take or another route or………drive in front of me. I never seen these beautiful female hitchhikers who are up for it, never found a policeman who gave me a bottle of wine and let me off for speeding etc. etc.
I will help anybody where I can, if they ask, but if you don’t ask fine with me.
I had fantastic weekends with other unsociable people, but only because we choose to do so.
But I don’t think anybody in this job who does long distance and several nights out; choose this job because such a great social life came with it.
Use to be 5-6 weeks away, over 40 weekends a year, and there where many trips where my conversation was restricted to “where do you want me to put the load, and how many pallets do you want me to load” and ordering some food.
That was fine to me, even in the time that there was no mobile phone, no laptops or TV in the cab. A book kept me sane and / or I would enjoy the place where I was.
That time you sometimes had to wait 2 days for a telex or before that you could make a connection per telephone.
I think a lot of people nowadays would die from loneliness, if I see how much they are talking small talk on the phone.
Maybe that made many drivers a little bit unsociable, and having enough on their own company, and just don’t feel the need to speak to anybody.
After 7 years in the office as a TM, I still don’t talk before 10 AM because I cannot be bordered.
A forum is an ideal place to be, because I can answer and talk when I want to, you can read it or ignore it when and if you want to, all fine with me.
It’s nice to be nice; hello, how are you, goodbye. There’s a world of difference of being an unsociable misanthropic so and so to just liking your own space. I rarely sit in RDC waiting rooms because its like a ■■■■■■■ doctors waiting room. Full of gloom faces, if I can I’d rather read or watch a DVD/TV. But having said this by the same token it costs nothing to be polite and be on your way. Some people are just plain rude.
Example: I ask a guy two three weeks ago now as he just jumped out of his 620 Toplinner tricked up with lights ‘n’ all if he had got a green. I couldnt see where I was parked and all the bays were full. He gave me such a dirty look I had to go to the toilets and wash it off! “NO”! was his reply, in such a miserable bad manner that I felt like pulling him in the waiting room and saying, whats your problem fella? Probably because I didnt have a matching Scania jacket on
Everybody can have an off day and I’m certainly no exception but manners cost nothing and liking your own space isnt or shouldnt be an excuse to be rude. If you wanna sit and “chew the fat” do so, otherwise, a quick nod of the head, smile and be on your way.
newmercman:
flat to the mat:
newmercman:
Wheel Nut:
I was brought up with drivers who walked into a cafe on the docks and knew everyone. They would walk to the till and buy teas for everyone on the table, like a round in a pub. I doubt that happens anymore.The supermarkets and RDC have killed more than road transport
I remember those days Malc, funny how it was always the same bloke in the cafe first so he never got caught for a round of teas
How similar to your article in Truck-West this month.Don’t get all your ideas from this forum cos they’ve never heard of Stobbies here.
I’ve got plenty of stuff already in the bag for TW, some interesting topics I think, the Editor reckons that I have an edge and wants me to be controversial, it’s a tough assignment, but you know me, I’ll give it a go
3300John:
Hiya …years back when i stayed in digs on the dock road Liverpool when you ordered your meal
the owner told you where to sit.it was on the first table with a empty seat and you told the other
driver/s you name. no sitting on your own. then the owner would sat you,ve met some new friends.
mind you there was,nt so much bull…t ing in them days. you just got on with the job.I must say
this is where you got to find out about jobs. some one would say BLA BLA is leaving a firm
if it was a good job you was on the phone in seconds asking about a start
John
It aint just drivers that are unsociable. Years ago I stopped for breakfast in a cafe on dock rd Liverpool and asked if i could have beans on toast. The nice old bird behind the counter politely informed me that I could have “■■■■■ on toast for all I care” . Not particularly relevant here I know but you can see why some of us get fed up with it all. Still makes me laugh now though 
Thats right about the French Rouitiers,if you disobeyed the madame,and sit where you want,you get screamed at,they pack you in so tight,that you rub elbows and arms with the fellow sat next to you,it was down to timing,to watch when he has his hands down on the plate, while you have yours, to your mouth.
toby1234abc:
Thats right about the French Rouitiers,if you disobeyed the madame,and sit where you want,you get screamed at,they pack you in so tight,that you rub elbows and arms with the fellow sat next to you,it was down to timing,to watch when he has his hands down on the plate, while you have yours, to your mouth.
Yes but the best thing about France was you could have a ■■■ while he was milling his arms around with knife and fork