Senior Catastrophe

Most of the time, I take the FX going to work. Aside from the fact that it's very convenient and cheap, I feel quite safe riding it (compared to riding the train, bus or jeep). But this morning's trip was rather unusual. It was a mixture of feelings.

Since I left home quite late, I thought I should go take a cab to work. But then the Chinese side of me said I should go take the FX instead. And so I made para this jeep and went in. There's this lola inside who kept smiling at me. And as soon as I sat down, she immediately looked for her coin purse and started counting coins. I initially thought, "wow, this old lady was very happy to see me, but why? Is she our family friend??" And when I saw her taking her coin purse out, I then thought maybe she's going to give me ang-pao (hey, it's never too early for Christmas!) but why here? Hehehe.

No, seriously, I know she was glad to see me because now she has smeone who she can make utos to hand her fare. Nice one. But then when I gave her fare (P7.00) to the driver, the driver asked where...

(loud ugly music playing)

Lola: sa Tayuman...

Driver: huh?

Lola: Sa Tayuman...! (irate with the loud music)

Driver: Eh, kulang po ito. tumaas na po ang pamasahe. P9.00 na. P7.50 na ho ang pamasahe.

Lola: Ay, senior po ako.

Driver: Eh dapat po, P8.00 hindi P7.00; kulang pa din.

Lola: Ang mahal naman..

Then enters this girl with fake swarovski crystals and belt bag. She immediately asks, knowingly, "ano ba ang problema, senior sya ah!"

Epal Girl (to the driver): Magkano ba hanggang Tayuman (why is everyone going to Tayuman?! Visiting Tita Minerva sa Singalong, Ricky, Joey, Amy and Tikboy??)

Driver: P9.00 po.

Epal Girl: Ang mahal naman! Dati, P8.00 lang ang binabayad ko ah. Ang mahal. (she mutters incessantly.)

Driver: (Sounding very annoyed already) Eh tumaas na nga ang pamasahe eh. Tumaas na ang pamasahe! Kaya P9.00 na.

Epal Girl: Eh hindi ba pwede tawad? P8.00 nalang. Senior naman siya (point to lola) eh.

After much discussion with the driver, the already-annoyed driver just said yes (hoping to end the long discussion). This know-it-all paid P8.00 TOO for herself and her kasama.

But she proceeded to babble along to the lola in Chinese discussing that one should never giving up when it comes to haggling otherwise they will really BE CHEATED. And that she should assert more next time.

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Here are my random thoughts about it.

1. My initial thoughts about the lola have all been erased with the entry of miss know-it-all. She literally made pakialam everything! And since when did we start haggling for jeepney fares? Though I know that jeepney drivers are not the most honest and decent drivers around, but heck, they drive for a living. And with gasoline prices skyrocketting every month, I think a peso spared is still a big loss. Now, again, back to the point, and since when did we start haggling for fare prices? It was an indiscreet act of disrespect.

2. The fact that those passengers could afford to pay a peso more, what stingy people they are! C'mon. They're not pulubis off the street that they cannot afford to pay a peso more. This girl with the fake swarovski jewelry was loaded. She was wearing a knock-off Lacoste top, knock-off Lacoste bag, some fru-fru pair of jeans and ipanema sandals plus carrying a knock-off Lacoste purse (what's with Lacoste and it being faked?), I know she could afford to pay P2.00 more. She has a hired help for crying out loud. Let's say she's underpaying him, but the fact that you are able to shell out at least P1,500.00 more each month, what's P2.00???

3. They are Chinese. Call me conservative but I never argue with anyone (unless I am right) on the street, especially if it's about money. You lose it, you gain it back later on. My world's not going to end because I was shortchanged. But what bothers me is that they were Chinese arguing about petty amounts, and trying to make barat and lamang to worker. C'mon! I think that's really wrong. I won't stand for them.

When I got down the jeep, I gave miss know-it-all a doubtful look. I just wanted to tell her that though she's old and perhaps cunning, she should be fair. It's not even because she wants to get even, or something, but she has to follow rules and be discreet with her ways.

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Cut to FX ride. I was just too relieved to see that the FX was still there. Then we waited for like 20 more minutes until the FX got quite filled. On the 21st minute (time brought to me by Speedo), the ninth passenger sat. Hmmm, one more passenger then we're off to Makati. Ten more minutes passed but the tenth passenger hasn't arrived yet. I was getting impatient. Late na nga ako umalis, late pa yung FX, anong oras pa kaya ako makakapasok nyan?

So I checked my pocket if I had 35.00 pesos more. When I got out of the house, I know I only had the exact amount since I haven't withdrawn money yet. But thank God, I kept extra money in my wallet (actually, I took it from mom's change this morning, hehehe). So I paid for the tenth person's fare so we can all go.

Then this guy tapped my knee cap and said thanks. I didn't hear him, though I know he said something (i had my earphones on). I removed my other earphone and he said thanks again. I gave him a strange look, and he said, "para sa bayad. buti nakaalis na tayo." And I just smiled and nodded my head.

That guy was sweet. Now time to get back to The Company singing Now That I Have You.

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Blah.

The seniors really freaked me out this morning. I have always been biased about lolas. I think they're cunning and opportunistic. They use their "seniority" as an excuse to "get ahead" and get something done.

That's just my opinion.