I was getting on the bus today but wasn’t sure if it was the right one, so I asked the bus driver “Is this bus going to [blank stop]?” He didn’t respond or look at me so I thought he didn’t hear me (I’m a little congested/under the weather so thought maybe I had asked too quietly). I repeated the question, and no response, so then I asked a third time, thinking he hadn’t heard me. Then he says angrily “You do not say hello or anything when you get on, you only ask a question when you want something.” So I apologized and then he finally tells me that yes, the bus does indeed go to the stop I was asking about.
My question is it standard bus etiquette in the netherlands to say hello to bus drivers? I’m not from here so I did not realize but felt very embarrassed after the whole thing. I don’t always say hello as I board but say thank you as I get off. I thought I was phrasing the question politely and I did not greet him immediately since I was hesitating as I boarded (because I wasn’t sure if it was the right bus). I feel very bad if I was rude.
edit- yes normally I greet people in stores, taxis in public etc. I always aim to be kind and polite, I explained in a few comments that I was sick and in a daze this day which is why I was confused and hesitant boarding the bus, asking whether it’s the right one first. but at home (usa) I have only taken the buses in big east coast cities a handful of times where I don’t feel like I see people commonly greeting the drivers, so I was simply surprised by how angry the driver got (ignoring and then yelling at me). it seemed like I had committed a huge faux pas. being a student in a new country I often feel shy and confused trying to navigate things so I apologize if I’ve offended anyone, just trying to do my best every day and will learn from this