Guy on the bus called me out for using the pole, now I get why

Last Tuesday on the 7am express, some older dude in a construction vest watched me lean on the center pole instead of holding it and said, 'you grab that pole like it owes you money.' I laughed it off, but he was right, I've been riding that bus for 4 years and never actually gripped the thing once. He went on to explain that leaning transfers all the bumps straight to your spine, while a real grip lets your knees absorb the motion. Tried his way the next morning on the pothole stretch near 5th and Oak, and my back didn't ache for the first time all month. Anyone else get corrected by a stranger on transit and end up grateful for it?