Passenger courtesy

BENCHWARMER

Ramon Dacawi

 (We yield this rejoinder to our piece last week-end on “Seating capacity”, giving us respite after accompanying fellow Igorot and former world karate champion Julian Chees in his relief mission to Dumalag  and Tapaz towns in Capiz. – RD.):

Just read your article "Seating Capacity" and I can't help but smile.  I usually complain about barkers and jeepney drivers insisting to fill the jeep to what was determined by the transport officials as seating capacity. 

 One time I had to disembark because there really was no space for one more. In times that I am already inside and they still look for "maysa or duwa pay" I tell the barker or driver "pasensya na apo ta naitumpong nga dadakkel kami nga naglugan tata, bawien yo na lang no bumaba kami."  Sometimes there are co-passengers who second my statement but at times they just look at me as if I were from outer space.

Sometimes naman, it's the passengers themselves who do not have courtesy in the jeep.  I wrote something about this and would like to share it with you.  I call it "Courtesy in Riding the Jeep"...

   1.  You shall be requested to pass the fare of other passengers, so always be ready to do that.  If you are not in the mood to do this, better take a taxi because you will surely adversely affect the moods of other passengers when you are "busangot".

 2. Since most of the time you need to pass your money to another passenger, always be ready to say "pakipasa/pakiabot" and "thank you/salamat" after they get your money and when they give you back your change. 

3.  When you need to pass  your money to another passenger, be sure that the passenger is ready to receive your money.  Make sure that the passenger is not busy looking for his purse, readying his money or texting. Let him finish what he is doing before requesting him to pass  your money.   (Note: I'm using  "him/his" to mean both male and female.)

 4.  Always be conscious to give space to incoming/other passengers.  Sit properly.  By this I mean, do not occupy space for two (or three!).  If you have bags or things with you, make sure to secure them in a manner that will not cause delay for other passengers to get in or out the jeep.

 5.  Make space for passengers with disabilities, preferably near the entrance. 

 6.  If you are in a group, do not be noisy and unruly.  The jeep is not the proper place for group dynamics. 

 7.  If your cellphone rings and the call is not an emergency, tell the caller to call you back or you call him  after you get off the jeep.  The other passengers do not deserve to hear your end of the conversation, especially when your voice is too loud and your topic is not for general consumption.

 8.  NEVER request a co-passenger to pass on your fare when both of you are seated away from the driver.  Better to wait for other passengers to occupy the space near the driver.  And when this happens, wait till the new passenger is properly seated before you do the request.

 9.  Expect to be seated with a child.  Sitting beside a child can be stressful at times especially if the child is hyperactive; your newly pressed pants or uniform can get soiled by the child's dirty shoes/hands.  When this happens, NEVER show annoyance towards the child because you will surely get dagger looks from the parent.  The parent may even tell you to take a cab next time.  Remember: the jeep is a public transport that is used by all kinds of passengers.   

 10.  If you really need to talk about an issue or you need to talk about someone with your companion in the jeep, remember NOT to mention the name of the subject because the other passengers might know who you are talking about.  The jeep is not the proper place for this kind of talk (in the first place!). – Janet A. Lee, Km. 3, La Trinidad, Benguet.