5 Thoughts You Have When Stuck in Traffic

You. Friday night of a ‘sweldo weekend’. EDSA. WTF.

Sana nag-MRT nalang ako.

You think taking the MRT would have been faster. Until you see it pass along EDSA bursting-at-the-seams full and wonder how the passengers are still able to breathe. Your decision to not take the train proves to be wise upon finding out later on that one of the trains broke down. Zipline nalang, kaya?

Why am I here?

There’s nothing like getting stuck in traffic for 3 hours to ignite an existential crisis. Whether you’re driving your own car or seated in a public bus looking out to the window helplessly, you know you’ve reconsidered your choices in life and questioned your existence in one way or another because of how bad the traffic is. It’s so bad that it sparks an internal debate about whether or not it’s all still worth it.

NKKLK. I deserve a reward!

You’re losing your mind so you try to think about something more positive (e.g. food) and psych yourself to be more patient. It could be a hot home cooked meal waiting for you or the pizza that you promised yourself to have delivered to your doorstep or the 12-hour sleep you plan to have that night–just something to look forward to at the end of a long, excruciating trip.

Sana nag-antay nalang muna ‘ko.

The traffic in Manila is so bad that it has spawned a subculture of ‘palipas traffic’. People, rather than spend hours on the road, wait out the congestion by staying in a mall or cafe. Some get their hair and nails done, some eat and drink with friends, some watch a movie. This habit of waiting for the peak of traffic to pass is all too famililar. And why not? Would you rather sit in a small confinement that’s barely getting you where you need to be or have a little fun?

I need a new job.

It’s not exactly the job, it’s the workplace. Those living in Quezon City and working in Makati or Taguig know the struggle very well. You consider moving to one that’s closer to home, because who needs the extra four (unpaid) hours spent commuting every single day? Others even take this further by thinking about working abroad.