Commuting is a part of our daily lives as much as eating is. We all waste away some three hours every day just to get somewhere and to get back home so we definitely have our own moments in public transportation. Here we’ve sought 8 of the most awkward moments everyone has experienced in public transportation. What’s the most awkward for you?
When you experience an OJT as a conductor
Everybody knows the seat second nearest to the driver is the ugliest one in the jeepney. In the spirit of the Filipino’s desire to help out always, those sitting there are required to pass the fare of the rest of the jeepney to the driver. Sometimes he or she can never do anything else once everybody’s done with their payments.
Being familiar with strangers because you’re always on the same route at the same time
There are a couple of familiar faces on the trek to work. Familiar because we just ride the same bus, jeep, or train with them. You’re practically growing up with them and you notice when they get a haircut or when they get sick. How creepy is that? When’s the right time to acknowledge them with a kind smile? It’s probably never because admit it, you judge them every day.
Transferring to a warm seat and it’s not the good kind of warm
There’s nothing Filipinos like best than upgrading. Unfortunately, if you’re in public transportation, upgrading to another seat has its own disadvantages. Like.. they’re warm. Which leads you to ask, what did that passenger do in this seat?!
Smiling through the pain
What a great day! Until somebody steps on your toe and you feel that jolt of annoyance but you have to smile because it’s not good manners to suddenly punch a stranger in the gut.
When you have to shout at the top of your lungs
‘Para po.’
‘Para po!’
‘PARA PO!!!’
And then that’s the only time the ride stops – a mile from your supposed destination and with all the passengers shouting to your aid. It’s even worse if you’re with your mother because for sure the driver and everybody on the vehicle will get their fair share of scolding. Yikes.
Abrupt stops unbalancing people
The hardest thing about getting on a train is maintaining balance throughout the ride. If you’re unfortunate and the train stops suddenly, you’ll be found tripping in front of everybody and possibly dragging another passenger with you. And when that happens, simply pick yourself up, get off the train and wait for the next one.
Insisting you still fit when it’s clearly overcrowded
Isn’t it the absolute worst when you get on a jeepney and find out that the space left for you can’t even fit a baby? For the fear of being late or the laziness of getting off, you still try to sit pretending that you’re chill but really, your legs are dying. And what’s worse, it’s traffic! By the time you get to your destination both your legs are numb. Don’t insist! Wait for the next jeepney instead.
Feeling (and smelling) everything in packed PUVs
Imagine this: it’s 6 PM Friday and it’s a long weekend, it looks like the whole population of Manila came to wait with you at the bus stop. You get on the jam packed bus and you’re suddenly hyper conscious about everything around you. The guy beside you who smells like he ran a mile under the sun even though it’s nightfall already, the people seated in front of you with their face almost to your chest, and the awful awful feeling of being aware of other people’s body parts pressing against your body. You can’t even do anything about it. And when you get off you will feel every single person’s bottom from the end of the bus to the door.
It’s the curse of a wrecked public transportation and it looks like it’s not gonna change anytime soon.
What’s your most awkward public transportation moment? Share it with us!
