Commuter’s Etiquette

Commuting everyday to work allows me to experience things that people bringing their own cars do not have the privilege… I get to experience the kindness of strangers when they let you have their seat in a crowded train or the simple act of giving your fare to the driver when you’re too far to reach and give the fare yourself.

And then there are some who can irritate you because of their sheer lack of etiquette, whether in queues or inside the public transpo. So here’s some that I learned, observed and wanted to share.

1. Queue and don’t overtake.

Translation:  wag makipagunahan at sumingit! Kaya nga may pila eh.

In queues, there’s neither rich nor poor.  We’re equals regardless of how high your salary is or how crisp your polo is. Wag maginarte. Wag makipagunahan sa front seat kung hindi naman ikaw ang nasa unahan ng pila.  There are sooooooooo many people who think that they can get away with this. Uunahan ka sa pila dahil gusto nila sa front seat.  It happened to me a number of times and I don’t let them get away with it; not because I’m being a b*tch but to let them know that this is precisely the essence of queuing.  Keep in mind that the people ahead of you have the option on where they want to sit.  If you’re the last, then that leaves you with no choice but the last available seat. That’s just the way it is.

2. Occupy only the space that’s available to you.

Translation:  wag ipagsiksikan ang sarili sa kakarampot na espasyo… lalo kung di ka naman kapayatan.

This usually happens when the last passenger boards the vehicle.  Imagine this scenario.  Just one more passenger and then you’ll leave the terminal already. So there you are, sitting quite comfortably. Then here comes the last passenger, he/she will sit with the butt almost up your face in the hopes of letting the balakang get as much space as it can tapos gigitgitin ka para umurong ka, when there’s no more space to move.

You have the option anyway to wait for the next ride but since you opted to take this ride and you’re the last passenger, just take the available space and bear with it. Wag mong ipagsiksikan ang sarili mo lalo na kung alam mong di ka na kasya. Don’t belittle yourself. What I mean is, wag mong isipin na isa ka lang tinga na pwedeng sumingit sa ngipin. Tao ka… tao!

3. Adjust your ringtone so that it doesn’t holler inside the vehicle.

Translation:  wag papansin. Nahihinaan ang ringtone. Wag pasikat na polyphonic ang phone mo…. Marami na’ng may ganyan.

There are those who let the whole darn song end before they answer the text or call (pretending they didn’t hear it) just so you’ll know what their ringtone is. Aysus! Juvenile and jologs at best!

Then there are those who holler themselves while talking on their phones. Naman! Di tayo close para malaman ko pa ang juicy details ng buhay mo. Wag mong isipin isa kang megaphone… once more… tao ka… tao (kang nakakairita)… hehehe…

4. If you’re listening to your music player, adjust the volume so that the person beside you is not listening to the vehicle’s radio and to the music screaming out of your earphones simultaneously.

Translation: durugin mo man ang eardrums mo, wala akong pakialam pero wag mong pasakitin ang ulo ko dahil hindi nakakatuwang makinig sa dalawang magkaibang tugtog ng sabay!

These are the new breed of co-passengers that’s getting my goat lately. Parang ano ba??? Kelangan ba talagang ganon kalakas ang tugtog ng iPod mo? So loud that it’s actually blasting out of your earphones???!!  Not good for your ear… and not good for my heart! Nakaka-stress kayo!   And when my patience finally runs out… hindi magiging maganda sa kalusugan mo ang mangyayari.  hehehe

5. Sit properly. Don’t cross your arms nor sit with your elbows poking your seatmate’s side. Instead, sit with your arms extended on your lap.

Translation: umupo ka ng maayos nang hindi kabwisitan ng katabi mo.

I’m not sure if you notice it but crossing your arms, squares your shoulders thus making you occupy more space than you normally do. Sumisikip lalo.

And these people who sit with their elbows folded at their sides will really irritate you because every time the driver hits the brakes, their elbow will surely poke your side and it’s really uncomfortable (painful especially on sudden brakes). Gusto ko magka dimples… pero hindi sa tagiliran ko, ok?

6. Guys, don’t spread your legs far and wide (it’s smaller than you think it is). You and junior can be comfortable without taking other’s space.

Translation:  Kelangan ba talagang naka-180° ang hita mo?

Spreading your legs unnecessarily occupies the space of another passenger, who paid the fare just like you did and yet you sit as though you own the vehicle.  Unless of course you paid twice the fare, then occupy twice the space as you like.

7. Girls, if you’re wearing a skirt (knee-length or shorter), don’t put your bag across your lap; place it horizontally instead. Just so you won’t give the person sitting right across a splitting headache or stiff neck.

Translation:  wag mong bigyan ng kasalanan yung lalake sa harap mo… wag mo din bigyan ng stiff neck yung babaeng kaharap mo (kakaiwas ng tingin kasi medyo….. ewwwwwwwww).

Most office girls wear skirts that reach their knees or slightly above their knees.  And when they sit, the skirt hikes up a bit. Please, use your bags to cover your assets.  Unless you don’t mind showing the color and design of your undies to the person in front of you, then stay comfy with how you sit. It’s your call. Naku Lord! Wag Nyo naman na ipahintulot na mangyari ulet sa’ken yun… medyo… masakit sa mata, sa ulo at sa sikmura. hehehe

~ by jumbledcoffeethoughts on October 21, 2008.