Critical Analysis: Politics of Sitting in a Jeep

Riding the jeepney has been part of the everyday life for many of us Filipinos. But riding a jeep is not as simple as it may seem. We have developed our own personal strategies, techniques, and other ways of making our ride as comfortable and hassle free for ourselves. There are just so many things we do not like about a jeepney ride. Probably the one thing we do not want the most is to get mugged- for which a jeepney ride is notoriously known. But despite that, many people still ride the jeep to go places. Taking the jeepney is like an adventure ride and getting to your destination with your body intact and with all your things still with you merits a good sigh of relief.

One interesting thing to note is how people place themselves inside the jeep. When I ride the jeep, I find it most convenient to sit either in front beside the driver or at the very rear. I have several reasons for that and I found out that it’s the same way others think. I sit at the rear, first, because I want to be able to get out easily and, second, because I don’t want to be used and constantly called by other passengers to pass their fares to the driver. Even though passing the other passenger’s money does not really require much effort it still more preferable for me not to do it. It is not that I’m lazy or indifferent with the masses, it is simply something inherent in me and I guess in most of the other people as well.

While that scenario is only most likely when the jeep is empty or near empty, a full jeep will give one a different preference. If one is running out of time then that person will most likely hop on the jeep and sit at what seem to be an impossible space to fit a person. The good thing is that the driver and assistants know very well how many persons their jeeps could sit. It is just amazing to see how jeeps get to be packed with so many people. For some reasons even if all people inside a jam-packed jeep are in opposition to the operator putting another person in, there opens a space for that person to sit.

There is politics in every choice we make when riding a jeep. On where to place yourself or whether or not to open up a space for another passenger is a conscious decision we make. Positioning oneself in a jeep is a matter of strategy for the lazy ones or security for the insecure. Some people simply doesn’t mind all that and just go with flow enjoying the experience of the ride.

The jeep is a place that embodies the many aspects of what we are as Filipinos. The attitude of the people in relation to their fellow passengers shows that flexibility and generosity even if it means compromising ones own comfort. It is like a community that even everybody is a stranger they are trusted to pass their money to the driver. While one would grab an opportunity given to stay detached from the rest and sit at the rear, that person will have no choice but to oblige with how the whole thing functions with accepting openly the favour of passing the fare to the driver. Well, even if the real situation is not seen as good as that, we can always look into it in a good light. It’s our culture anyways.