when the pros become unherded sheep

i live considerably far from the place i work, and i depend heavily on the public transportation system to and fro.

to rely heavily on the unreliable system is a nightmare since it's not punctual and it tends to disappoint you, many many many times. but choices are what i've been denied of these days, so i'll do the calculations, you do the judgment.

i go out from the house at 0620. the bus will either come at 0630 or 0640, depending on the driver. the mess comes when:

- i go out 5 minutes later

the consequence:

* i'll miss the 0630 bus
* i'll have to take the 0700 bus

the problem is that the 0700 bus is damn packed, sometimes the driver won't even stop for me.


- if i miss the 0700 bus

the consequences:

* i'll be damn late for work


- if the driver for 0630 trip is late

consequences:

* the ones who should take the 0700 trip will cram the bus
* i have to stand in the bus without rooms for my feet


- if the 0630 bus is late or i take the 0700 bus

consequences:

* i won't get a seat in the train and i have to stand all the way
* i will have to line up in a LOOOOOONG queue waiting for the train and still won't get a seat
* i will be late for work


the reasons why i don't mind going out earlier than i should are:

* i'll get in a seat in the bus
* i'll get a seat in the train
* when i get a seat, i can sleep in the train, hahaha!

i hate it if the bus is late coz then i'll have to queue for the train and during this period, i can see the human's selfishness, hence the title. no matter how high-ranked you are, you change for the sake of getting a good spot. some even resort to pushing and jumping queues, all proper manners and professionalism gone down to the drain.

the other day, the 0630 bus was late and didn't stop for me, and i had to go with the 0700 bus which was also late. i got to the station at 0730 and i had to queue LOOOONG. when my turn came, i was pushed right onto the yellow line, i thought the train and me were just a breath away. so, i waited for the next train on the yellow line without the chance to back down since there were a LOT of people behind me ready for pushing.

alas, when the train came, there were a lot of pushing and shouting too. the main problem is that: the station is the last stop and the people from the previous stop took advantage (cheated anyway) by infesting boarding the train earlier so that they can grab a seat. it's totally unfair, but sometimes the train that comes stops its operations and all aboard must alight and they'll have to queue like everyone else.

that is why i don't mind going early if that means, comfortable journey as i get a seat. fair enough.