As someone who’s been taking the MRT on a daily basis since lawd knows when, you’d think I’d have developed a high tolerance for stupidity and inconsiderate people by now. I’d like to think I’m a pretty decent commuter: I walk fast, I stay out of the way, I don’t wave my arms, hair, or bag around, I don’t push or shove (unless you’re standing in my way, texting smack in the middle of foot traffic heh), and I don’t cut lines. I only misbehave when I retaliate i.e. some chick insists on pushing when there’s absolutely no reason to. It’s not very nice but it’s my reflexes working and it feels pretty damn good when I put a bitch in place. Most of time, though, I just fume silently and/or tweet about it.

When taking public transportation, I really try my best not to be affected by the people around me. Rushing to work is stressful as it is, I don’t need getting myself all worked up over strangers. Sometimes, it’s hard not to get annoyed especially at (yes, I have a list. I like lists):

1) Men who ride in the train’s first car. I know this is a sexist rule (only females, senior citizens*, handicapped folks, and men with children can ride in the first car) but I like it because I don’t have to worry about getting groped etc.

Anyway, everyone knows about this rule. If it’s your first time riding the MRT and you’re a dude and have no knowledge of this rule, you will see signs reading “<-- DOON PO ANG LALAKI" on the chain rails on the platform (next to the humidifier filters. Oh wait, not in the Philippines). If you happen to not see the sign/s, you’ll find yourself sticking out like a sore thumb in a crowd of women while all the other dudes are NOT WHERE YOU ARE.

So how is it that some men are still completely oblivious to all these and feign ignorance when security guards shoo them away? This morning, two guys shoved past a bunch women into the train and the guard caught them too late. I had my iPod on, blasting Yeah Yeah Yeahs so I couldn’t make out the conversation but judging by the expression on the two guys’s faces, they weren’t too keen on exiting. Worse, they were blocking the way. When the guard finally got them to GTFO, the train doors were closing and the rest of us had to wait for the next train.

I wanted to punch them.

*I have an issue with male senior citizens because one time, this lolo spent the entire train ride with his crotch stuck to me while he stared at my chest. It was very uncomfortable (obvs) and the train was packed. Sure, they’re old, but they’re still men. I’ve also seen old men run through closing train doors and shoulder women out of the way.

2) People who cut lines. A lady in her 40s/50s cut the line this morning and all I could think was “Ang tanda tanda mo na, hindi ka pa din marunong pumila.” It was pretty comical, though. I was in line and I saw her as she shuffled over from the ticket windows, looked at the line/us, shuffled towards the back, shuffled back to the front, and inserted herself there.

2.1) People who have the nerve to get mad when you don’t let them cut lines. Wipe that scowl off your face.

3) People/ladies who shove you out of the way just so they can sit on the train. Whenever a train pulls up the platform and there are seats available, I DREAD IT because I know all these chicks are going to push and shove and fight and run for a seat. It’s ridiculous.

4) People who stand by the train doors and don’t move out of the way at stops, especially during rush hour and the train is packed. How do they expect people to exit properly? Move to the side or step out for a bit (you’ll still have your space in the train, really)— just get out the way.

That’s about it (for now, I guess). Just thinking about these people irritates me, ugh.