What Type Of Passenger Are You?
...on becoming mobile
As I recall my HR 100 class, my professor kept telling us that people nowadays are becoming mobile. This proves true in my case. Upon entering my college years, transportation has been a daily part of my routine. For almost three years now, I have been a student who goes to and fro Manila and Cavite through a bus. Although this idea is really exhausting, I perceive this as an extension of gaining new learning and insights. Through this, I am able to apply some principles I acquire in Psychology, the field that I am specializing. Therefore, as an observer and a passenger myself, I can say that passengers in buses can be categorized in six distinct labels: the hook or by crook passengers, feel at home passengers, ‘so friendly’ passengers, emphatic passengers, apathetic passengers and under shadow passengers. These passengers vary generally according to their personality, attitude towards other passengers and their overt behaviors.
The first and the most common type of passengers are the hook or by crook passengers. They are the kind of passengers that are willing to ride a bus even if they would be in the most uncomfortable position just to get to their destination. Sometimes, they have to sit in the innermost backseats and sometimes, they have to stand during their whole trips. Oftentimes, these passengers greatly show up during rush hours. They also frequently look at their wrist watch. Depending on such occurrences, it can be inferred that they are the ones who have the tendency not to meet the prescribed schedule for the day. Simply put, these passengers are willing to do everything so as not to be late for work or for their class.
The second and the most fun to watch are the feel at home passengers. They are the carefree type, doing things that are normally or usually done at home or in private. Examples of these are the snoring creatures, sound trippers, TV Addicts and Narcissus’s duplicates. The first two needs not to be searched thoroughly. You’ll just know one when you hear one. The snoring creatures sleep so sounded while the sound trippers wear their headsets and sing loudly to the tune of MP3 song they are playing. The last two however are not hidden but they can sometimes slip in our watchful eyes. The T.V. addicts are the ones who sway their head and straight up their backs attempting to have a clearer view on the show they are watching. The Narcissus’s duplicate on the other hand are those who are so vain that they can no longer wait to be in a comfort room to groom their selves. Some are males who comb and put gel to style their hair while some are females who have a mirror in the left hand wearing make-up and spraying perfume all over their bodies. Indeed, whether they are aware or unaware of doing those stuffs, these passengers can serve as stimuli for many.
The third type is the ‘so friendly’ passengers. Most of these are on what Erickson believes to be in the stage of Integrity vs. Despair. These elderly passengers tend to disclose their personal stories to their co-passengers that are often younger than them. They even brag about their self-fulfillments and achievements but still share advices on their listener. They are kind but are sometimes insensitive. They tend to say long stories without thinking that the listener might want to take a nap or contemplate things on his/her own. However, by listening to their stories, life’s practical lessons can be obtained.
The fourth type is highly considered as the savior of the by hook or by crook passengers, the emphatic passengers. Most of these are men which let women, either pregnant, carrying a baby or just an ordinary woman, to take their seats. Same thing goes with the elderly. Although in our culture, men are more oriented in this custom, women are also generous in this idea, especially to the elders. However, the population of this genre is gradually decreasing. Perhaps, because of the gender equality, the first come first serve basis and the like.
The fifth and the very opposite of the aforementioned type is the apathetic passengers. Without difficulty, they disregard others in need while wearing dark shades, texting incessantly, sleeping and sometimes by blankly staring at drained passengers. This can not be helped for they also paid the amount and thus should receive accordingly. However, considering the fact that the spirit of altruism is fading on to them gives a preview of a self-centered society that would arise from them as the roots of the following generations.
The last and the most despicable type is the under shadow passengers. These are the passengers who have a different agenda aside from getting to their destinations. Belonged in this group are the pickpockets, sexual abusers, perpetrators and advantage seekers. For an instance, their type is hard to notice but by keenly examining their behavior, they can be identified. By checking if their eyes and position are appropriate for simple passengers and by being sensitive to their moves, to sense and avoid one will be easier. However, the best way for a travel to be safer is to pray for guidance and safety in the whole period of transportation.
Indeed, passengers greatly vary from others but in one way or another share a common culture. Knowing this would instill awareness in our part. It may give lessons to improve our interpersonal skills. It enables us to have a hint on whom to trust and not to trust and whom to be friendly and not to be friendly. This will also let us evaluate what kind of passengers is present in our time. How about you? Personally, what kind of passenger do you think you truly are?
