Also called Happy and Sad Bus Passengers · Choose the Happy Side of Life · Two Men on a Bus
Two passengers share a bus but see very different views. Label the gloomy left side and the cheerful right side to compare two ways of experiencing the same situation.
The left passenger faces a rock wall while the right passenger enjoys the landscape. The contrast can come from a choice, a small preparation, or a different perspective.
The two labels should have something in common. One useful detail can be enough to explain why the same journey feels miserable to one person and pleasant to the other.
Brazilian cartoonist Genildo Ronchi published the illustration on August 24, 2013. Its Portuguese message encouraged readers to choose the happier side of life. [1]
Labeled versions circulated in Brazilian Twitter communities by 2019. English-language variations spread widely on Reddit and Twitter in November 2021, often making the difference between the two passengers something very small. [1]
The contrasting views illustrate an optimistic message. [1]
Labels replace the motivational message with specific preferences. [1]
Reddit and Twitter users apply the two moods to everyday choices. [1]
Put the unhappy version above the left passenger and the happy version above the right. Keep the people and their contrasting views visible.
Parallel phrasing helps readers spot the difference quickly. Compare the same task with and without one useful preparation.
Original captions to try with this template.
Original artwork by Genildo Ronchi
The same trip looks different when the phone battery stops being a worry.
Original artwork by Genildo Ronchi
One player worries about the best choice while the other enjoys a familiar one.
Original artwork by Genildo Ronchi
A small preparation changes the experience without changing the weather.
References for this template. Example captions are original.
Credits Genildo Ronchi and traces the cartoon’s publication and later captioned versions.
