If
you don't know what a jeepney is, here's a
picture of one.
Description
of Jeepney: See the military/personal jeep? weld a long metallic
bod and caboose on it. Long bench-like seats parallel to the body
walls for passengers to sit on.
1.
GENERAL RULES
a)
Never ever ride wearing a short skirt or short shorts unless you want to
feel uncomfortable. You'll see why later.
b)
Make sure that all valuables are fastened securely, as it would be hard
to hold on to them in transit. This includes your Significant Other.
I saw a guy scramble up a jeepney to leave his girl behind on Valentine's
day. The girl was shouting after the jeepney but the driver probably
didn't here her over the speeding jeepney noise and the guy didn't make
too much of an effort. They probably ended up breaking up afterwards.
Why I do I know they're a couple? Because they were so sweetly holding hands
and gazing into each other's eyes before the guy flagged the jeepney down
for both of them. ^^;;
2.
BOARDING & LEAVING
When boarding or leaving a jeepney it is most advisable to scramble on
and find a seat or vise versa at 10 seconds flat. Jeepney drivers
never stay still for long unless they have a GOOD reason for it (see below
if you're curious as to what reasons these are)1.
When the jeepney slows down board or leave at once, don't wait for it to
come to a stop, it might not!
3.
SEATING YOURSELF
Find the widest vacant area on the bench seat, look to the right then to
the left before sitting down. Settle on a comfortable position
as to be ready for maximum compression. Jeepney drivers will typically
say that a bench seat will seat 9 passengers - Yes it does, if all 9 guys
are as thin as a certain actor with the nickname that translates to "Stick"
or all are 12 year olds or younger. The bench seat's real capacity
is 7 medium sized individuals plus allowance must be given for fat folk
but 9 people will be crammed in just the same. See why it's not good
to wear short clothes? One good thing is that drivers will not grumble
about overloading as long as everybody pays and no one complains, handy
for floods or if you're tour group doesn't want to be separated and there's
about 30 of you. Hanging on the "caboose"(actually the rear bumper
- maximum ten persons can ride this way - I've SEEN it *innocent eyes at
the disbelieving reader*) is also allowed on flood days.
4.
HOLDING ON TIGHTLY.
Just what it says hold on to the overhead bar as if your life depended
on it - Relax, it does! Jeepneys act like snakes in traffic.
In-out overtaking is a normal part of the ride and part of the thrill.
For some reason, they don't figure much in accidents since all other drivers
are fuelled by the motivation of self-preservation and avoid these like
plague.
5.
GOOD MANNERS
a)
When someone is passing fare or change, help pass it on to as far as you
can reach if not to the destination.
b)
When someone yells "Para" (Stop) or "Sa tabi lang po" (To the side please)
or yells their destination at the driver and the driver can't hear it add
an echo with your own voice over the jeepney noise.
c)
When asked by the driver, say your destination and the number of people
in your party loudly, no it's not impolite, in fact it's more impolite
if you say it in normal tone because you won't be heard over the rush of
the wind and speed.
1REASONS
WHY JEEPNEYS STAY STILL:
1.
It is in the garage being repaired or inactive
2.
There is no opening in front to move
3.
It figured in an accident
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