...hey driver, are you deaf?
By jeanneyvonne
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
Philippines
February 27, 2012 10:54am CST
I think this occasion happens to me a lot more times that I like.
I usually take the public transportation because my temper gets foul when I use our family vehicle and get caught up in traffic. rather than face a charge and possible spent cash on a temper tantrum, I opted for public transportation (plus, I can sleep while traveling),.
However, it seems to me that most public transport drivers are deaf...or maybe they are so focused on the road that they refused to the call of "PARA!". I have been in too many situation when I have to literally shout just to catch his attention and stop. Sometimes, other passengers have to shout for me. It happen while I'm on the jeep, tricycle and other PUV. And it also happens to other passengers.
I have nothing about drivers. They have a job to do and a family to feed. Ho weer, when in a 'byahe', it's not only their profit that should matter but the their passengers as well.
Any adventures with the pinoy jeepney or tricycle driver lately?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
27 Feb 12
We don't have our own vehicle, so we usually ride on public transport. I am actually scared when in a small bus or jeepney sometimes. The way they drive is too careless. And yes some of them can't even hear when we need to get off the vehicle. Some would have to shout to so the driver would know someone's getting off. Some drivers can't hear us because of their radio volumes - they would pump it up like we were in a bar
1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
27 Feb 12
en
I've heard that radio's not allowed with public transport (not sure)
but usually I've seen from bus that there are movies playing on -but the volume is not too loud.
I've heard that radio's not allowed with public transport (not sure)
but usually I've seen from bus that there are movies playing on -but the volume is not too loud.@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
@enelym I am also scared when they are driiign on a trip. They are worse drivers than my sibling. I think some drivers tend to think that the road is there for their taking, not realizing that there are some other drivers as well. And even if you comment, on their driving style, they give you dirty looks. For me, it's not just going to your destination, it's going there safely.
About the noise, it's bad enough that they have ear-spitting horn noise but they also have some loud music baring. talk about noise pollution on the go.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
I do experience this occasionally, but I most of the time I don't mind. There are just those few incidents when I get really irritated probably because I am in a hurry or was dropped off too far from where I should. The only thing that gets to my nerve are smoking drivers and those that lack hygiene. I usually opt for front seats whenever possible when riding on jeepneys so I get to sit next to the driver. It would really be uncomfortable and quite annoying, having to endure 2nd hand smoke from smoking driver or excessive bad odor from underarm for the duration of the trip.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
The front seat is my favorite as well. i don't have to be ruched like a sardine in a can. Some barkers and drivers refuse to leave until their vehicle resembles a can of sardines. I understand the notion but not everybody comes in a thin body. If it were, many people would be happy.
I also share your sentiments about smokers. I really don't like the smoke and sometimes, it makes me cough. I have been aware of seco9nd-hand smoking and I try as possible not to be exposed.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
I think having a slim body is one of the advantages I have in this situation, yet I too hate it when everybody gets cramped in and it gets really uncomfortable. I also hate dispatchers who force more passengers even when it is obviously full or not able to occupy more.
@xtedaxcvg (3189)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
Just an observation/constructive criticism: since it happens to you when you ride the jeep, trike, or any other PUV, maybe the issue is with the sound of your voice? I don't think all drivers of the PUVs you've been on are deaf, maybe you just need to shout "Para" a little louder. Look on the bright side, at least you know he's focused in his driving in order for you passengers to be safe, hehe.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
I cannot know but I think I might sound annoying and haughty if my call wasn't acknowledged. I'm not saying that they a e all deaf in literal sense. I am just trying to describe them when they are too pee-occupied to acknowledge passengers who are trying to stop the vehicle and come down. Sometimes, they drive so fast or ignore passengers when they call him to stop. It is annoying because they are times when the distance between the destination and stop are way longer than necessary.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
Hello Jeanne,
Not only temporary deaf but also forgetful. One time I was riding a jeep on my wall to a mall, on the way the jeep overtake the vehicle that wasn't in the proper temporary parking zone. I paid 20 and then when It was my time to drop off i asked for the change, the driver complained i didn't pay anything. that's when i got mad and forced him to give me change, some drivers are so tired to be forgetful and deaf, maybe you were in the rear? that's a good thing that other passengers are helping you drop off.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
Well, I don't know why that driver forgot your change but even spare change is important...you'll never know what you can save and you can use it for. I guess passengers look out for each other and are very kind even though they are strangers.
@chiwasaki (4694)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
If the music is so loud, it is a bit annoying that the driver cant hear you when you say 'para'. Sometimes you want to shout at them and tell them to just trun off their loud radios. But let us look at the bright side, these drivers are driving whole day, some are driving more than the usual 8 hours of work, it is really a boring job. These "loud music" are their only source of entertainment.
Also, hearing loud noise every day can damage your ears specially if you are a jeepney driver. I'm only 25 but my hearing is already not that good because of the nature of my work. So I pretty much understand if these drivers cant hear me right away.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
I understand their situation and that it is their livelihood but there are times when the welfare of their passengers is the one being compromised. Passengers are also people with their own issues. It is already annoying that there's traffic, but being ignored if you already reached your destination. Driving is indeed tiring and boring but we all have our roles to play.
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
We have our own car but since my dad's 70+, I really don't ask him to drive me around too much. I want to learn how to drive but they always stops me. Lolz! Anyway, I really do know what you mean! The same exact thing happened to me several times.
It's understandable if the driver's old. It might mean he have some hearing problem but it's definitely unacceptable if the driver can't hear you and they have loud music blaring inside their jeep. There's one time when the driver can't hear the passanger's "PARA!" since his sound is so loud that everyone in the jeep shouted "PARA SABI!" Lolz!
Anyway, just wanna share something from my blog. It's called "Mga eksena sa Jeep". The email is sent to me by a friend and decided to share it via blog :) I'm sure you can relate on it. It's also funny when you imagine the scenarios :P Feel free to comment or anything. I love receiving comments :D
Not a referral link: http://kehimekawa.blogspot.com/2011/11/mge-eksena-sa-jeep.html
@longbangod (1785)
• Philippines
27 Feb 12
I am a Filipino myself and I do experienced the same thing. You know I'm not really comfortable with shouting that's why I use a coin to knock any metal near me to catch the attention of the driver. And it works! You can try it.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
I also try the knock technique but sometimes it doesn't work. either the driver is too busy with his driving, chatting with another person (by his side, by cellphone) or the roof of his jeep is often padded.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
27 Feb 12
Sometimes I also choose to commute than driving due to this high petrol price.
I don't have trouble with stopping the public transport or when saying "para"
Or maybe because I usually stopped at places where most people also stopped.
Like going to malls,the driver automatically shouted "we're here Megamall" something like that.
That would be so annoying if that would happen to me as well.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
at least you have a good driving experience so far. I have a route that I often take - it says one place but stops at a nearer place, because they sort have a terminal over there. It's like a designated drop-off. the only thing that's annoying is they should have reduced the fare. I don't mind walking but I don't want to pay for a reduced length of space.
Also, I encountered some conductors who don't announce the stops. I nearly went completely lost on one occasion because said conductor was busy counting profits.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
27 Feb 12
Pinoy drivers are the "best drivers" in the world. Have you ever wondered how they are able to drive, accept fare and chitchat with some some passengers all at the same time. They can even drive with speed and recklessness even in the presence of the traffic policemen and MMDA's. When the loud speakers were banned in Metro Manila, some of the jeepney drivers must have sold their sound equipments to our place. You need to shout at the top of your voice to make them hear you when you need to get off. I don't often ride jeeps. I usually ride the tricyles with drivers who are even worse than those of the jeepneys. They don't follow any speed limits and if you call their attention, the more that they will try their best to irritate you. That is the kind of drivers we have, all for the sake of a few bucks.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
28 Feb 12
I don't know whether I would be proud to say that to anyone. I don't either how make out of them. The people (at least the commuting public) knows their pain - the rising oil prices and all other related commodities) but they are also the ones who often breaks the law. They cry foul when somebody corrects them. I guess they have their own rules when it comes to the road and dealing with the commuters. But We're all in the same boat.
