I’m not the type to be bothered about parked cars almost blocking the public streets… I’m not as passionately against pedestrians arrogantly walking in the middle of the street not really caring that you barely just hit them – as my husband is (I mean he would probably go and actually run them down!). In fact, I’m really mostly patient about a lot of things – even heavy traffic does not frustrate me.

What does irk me is when I am put in a situation where I’m obviously right but am powerless to do anything about it. Take today for instance. I was on my way home from work tired and very hungry. The road leading to our house starts from a narrow curve that is almost like a cul de sac – but not exactly. Its an everyday challenge to drive the car past this part of the street as there are parked cars on both sides of it making it literally a one-laner only. In fact, the garbage truck does not even try to cross this so they (the garbage collectors) just go around another way. It doesn’t help that the house situated on that exact curve does his business – which is a “talyer” – right on the street.

Well tonight, the house across the “talyer” is having a party. How do I know? Well, there is this big tent in front of their gate, its poles sticking out into the street. Fine, I first thought. My small vios can still go through. As I turned the car, I was met by a cement truck. I gave way as he reached the bend before I did. After he passed, I flashed my lights continuously to signal anyone coming the same road. When I passed the turn again, a car that was still a-way off continued to move forward despite my obvious signaling. The driver stopped before me but did not budge. I turned my lights low and waved for him to move back. He only had to reverse in a straight line so that should be easy. He still did not move. The driver just stayed there and did not respond to my almost freakish waving. In a few minutes, several cars had lined up behind him. Then I saw his passenger door open and an old matrona-looking woman step out. Matrona – wearing fuschia pink silk blouse with shoulder pads; imelda-marcos hair; large granny-sunglasses (at 730PM!); a shoulder bag held by the straps like a tote; and a granny walk that makes you chant – up-down-up-down. She came over to my side and posed her face in my window until I rolled it down. I was met by a strong scent of anais-anais-like perfume that I only recall being a popular favorite by my lola when I was in grade 4. She then said if I could move because they were gonna pass and park because they were going to attend the party. Of course, I protested saying I had already backed out earlier and it would be more challenging for me to reverse at the curve then for them to back out in a straight line. But she eventually did not hear me because she kept going on and on about me having to move. She was joined by her grand-daughter and then it was like – gang-up on Apples – day. I was at a disadvantage sitting inside the car looking up at them and they looking down on me. I really wanted to continue the pissing match if not for the fact that I was already nauseous from lack of food. I gave them a snort, an evil look and rolling of the eyes before backing up and driving to where the party tables where – to hell with who I scared. If they wanted me to move, then they should move their damn tables. Then there were a bunch of party guests waving their arms, making their effort to guide me even if it was obvious it was unnecessary as I was not even looking at them while I maneuvered the car. I pushed the car inside the house causing several seated guests to stand up and move away. I did this until all the waiting cars were able to pass. As I sped off, the lola-matrona was saying – thank you. I did not respond, nor did I look.

Call me rude or disrespectful if you want. I believe that if a person does not show consideration and respect for other people then he or she do not have the right to demand the same. In fact, they don’t deserve any kind of consideration – no matter how old they may be. Wealth, position or family name does not give anyone the right or the excuse to take advantage of situations to bend it to their liking. It remains though, that in the Philippines – these people actually get away with it.

:mad:

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