Small and Courteous Gestures that Are “Too Hassle” for Most Pinoys
Pinoys often consider their personal convenience and comfort before respect for others. As humans, it’s understandable to take care of ourselves first; empathy and sympathy always come second right after we’ve met our needs and wants. Why is that?
Because “hassle, eh.” Why would you even want to show compassion for people you won’t probably see ever again? But this is exactly why a lot of us have very little faith in the future of the country. Because even in the smallest things, like crossing the road or sitting down in public vehicles, we can’t show the least bit of compassion for others. Here are 8 of these small and courteous things that we Pinoys often overlook.
8. Following pedestrian signs and signals
Here’s something to think about: You pay for taxes. A percentage of those taxes (hopefully) go to our public roads and signs. So what’s the use of all the traffic signs that you worked hard for if you don’t follow them?
It’s fairly simple: red means stop, green means go. “No Jaywalking” means no jaywalking, and “Bawal tumawid. May namatay na dito,” means someone, very much like you, decided it was a helpful suggestion rather than an order and did it anyway. Too bad they didn’t live to regret it. It’s all so simple, right?
But sometimes it’s not even about using what you paid for; it’s all about discipline. We can’t go and rant about traffic and how ineffective our leaders are if we can’t even be effective citizens who follow the law.
7. Staying on the right side of the escalator
Why? Because the left side is for the rushing passengers and the right one is for the idle ones. This is common transportation courtesy, and it would be nice to see it done in the country.
6. Talking on the phone at a respectful volume
You’ve probably noticed that there are some people who forget they’re in a public place the second they answer a phone. God help you if you sit beside someone on the bus who does this. And what about those who do this AND put their calls on speakerphone? God help us all.
5. Maneuvering to the middle of the train car
Of course it’s hell to get out of the MRT when you’re in the middle of the car, but this only happens when you don’t think ahead. How difficult is it to slowly maneuver towards the doors as you approach your destination? After all, it’s just your dignity that gets stripped from you when you push your way through the sardine-can human oven near the doors.
