On buses and beggars

November 14, 2008

Recently, I went to Makati by commuting. After a long, long time, I again experienced the rush-hour travel by bus. I waited for a bus in Baclaran and felt relieved that a bus came in no time. So I went in, and the bus was already full. I wasn’t expecting that as the bus conductor kept shouting, “maluwag pa, maluwag pa, diretso lang po sa loob” [lots of space, lots of space, straight inside]. I couldn’t get out to find myself another bus because it already started moving, plus I was already pushed near the back of the bus. It’s a good thing though that a guy, I’d say a maritime student by the look of his uniform, gave me his seat. I’d like to think he was being a gentleman, then again, he got out of the bus as long as I sat down (hmmm…). After a few minutes, the bus was full, I mean FULL, of people. But I found myself smiling when the conductor again said, “maluwag pa, maluwag pa, diretso lang po sa loob.” What does he mean? haha.

 

When I reached Makati, I found an open area outside a relatively cheaper food complex, bought siomai, and sat down to kill time. A girl (X1) who might be a 12-year-old approached me and asked for alms. I don’t normally give money to young beggars (I believe most of the time they are exploited by some gang or own family), but I was in such a good disposition. Even the squiggling and pushing inside the bus did not change my mood (I woke up on the right side!). I gave her coins and she went away without thanking. I saw her walking to and fro along Buendia, but never going too far away from the food complex. Then, a woman approached who, I swear, really looked like X1. I said, “nabigyan ko na po pera anak niyo” [I already gave your child money]. “Wala akong anak” [I don’t have a child], I said ok and told her I don’t have anything to give her anymore; she looks healthy enough to work! She and B1 wore the same type of clothes, had a bandana in their heads, and really, really resemble each other. Then, I went about watching the passersby and the buses and jeepneys and eating the siomai. X1 again approached me, asking for my siomai. It seemed to me that she forgot approaching me earlier. I told her, “no, I am eating it,” and she left. After a while, another young beggar (X2) approached me, maybe a little younger than X1. But, no, I did not give her anything. Do you know why? Because when she spoke, I saw her retainers! haha. Are you kiddin’ me? A beggar with retainers?! Sosyal. haha.

 

The beggars and the buses surely made me smile. On normal days, it would have entirely ruined my mood. But I guess you just have to look for something funny in annoying situations, and you’ll be fine.

what ever happened to customer service?

Note: ranting post

I always pay my bills on time, albeit not always in full. I hate late charges; they are so disproportionately high even when you miss just a day! Imagine my frustration when someone from collections (in a very informal tone) informed me that I missed a due date. Don’t you just hate it when you have to pay an unnecessary fee?

I enrolled my two cards from CTB (the card company) to an e-billing statement (as part of my effort not to contribute to the degradation of the forest). Besides, Internet is faster and more convenient (checking reward points, changing cash advance pins, paying bills). Since September, I haven’t been receiving bills in my mail. With this card, I tried checking it on the quick balance inquiry on CTB’s site, but it kept telling me that I was entering the wrong info until it was totally blocked. Apparently, CTB increased my credit limit! How would I know that? Again, I wasn’t informed. Yeah, I could have called CTB’s hotline, but sometimes, you’re just too busy to wait in the queue.

So, I told this guy of what happened and that I won’t be able to pay it that day (he called after banking hours). He told me the late charge would be waived if I pay tomorrow. That calmed me. I called the hotline to make sure that it would be waived, and wow, they have different opinions. I kept on explaining to the CSR that I never missed a date, that I did not receive the bill, and that I would pay tomorrow. As if dismissing the chance of waiving that fee, she told me that even if I do pay, it would still be charged. Whattt?!? What about what the guy said? I was trying to clarify it when she raised her voice and repeated her sentences. I told her, also in a raised tone, and this time, in English, “that’s what I’m gonna say, but YOU CUT ME SHORT!” She said sorry, now in a softer voice, and told me that she would just monitor my account and waive the fee. Finally. Still not wanting to completely surrender to our word-war battle, she interjected, “I’d do that so that you won’t have to call again and again.” I won’t back down, “I wouldn’t have called if you and your company were doing things right.” Then, I requested tons of things for her to do with my two cards, asked her name, and hung up. That’s what she gets.