Pila and Paghihintay is life. That's the motto that I have been living by for so long. You see, anywhere I go, two processes tend to be constant -- falling in line and waiting. From commuting, doing my groceries during lunch hour, getting bank errands done, even using the elevator to transport me to where the office is, that beeline and waiting time are always a tandem.
Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining though. While it could make others lose their cool, and considering that I knew myself as someone who "doesn't have the patience of a saint", I would admit that I have been so used to it. Falling in line and waiting has become a part of life. However, yesterday, during a transaction at the supermarket with my colleague, this routine was given with a comic twist.
I accompanied my friend Cherry to do her groceries. As she is a PWD (person with disability) just like me, she's entitled to use the first checkout lane (which is also for senior citizens and pregnant customers) While waiting for our turn, the lady (in her 60's) who was next to us had this weird look on her face as if scrutinizing both of us. I guess she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer, because what came next was a question I never thought I would hear:
"May buntis ba sa inyo?" (TRANSLATION: Is anyone of you pregnant?)
Okay, while becoming pregnant (and becoming a legit wife and mother) was once part of my future hopes, the question kind of placed me in that "wait hindi ako na-orient" moment. Part of me felt giddy for a second but I felt awkward right afterward. It didn't offend though. All it took was just a polite explanation that I was just accompanying a friend who is a PWD (which makes her entitled to the use of the lane). And while she didn't have to, the lady gave an apology. Apparently, she didn't know that neither Cherry or I was amongst those classified as PWD's.
Walking back to the office, Cherry and I just had a good laugh at that incident. Because as funny as it was, while we tend to see ourselves as the "physically-challenged" folks, apparently, there are people who saw (and thought of) something else -- only not in a way we were expecting.
Now, who says falling in line is always a temper-losing activity? At least to the two of us, it's not. For that was one time we got to say, as that tourism tag line puts it, it's more fun in the Philippines :-)
POSTSCRIPT: I am a PWD myself. And while I am entitled to privileges, I rarely use it and only do so when it's REALLY necessary. I don't mind falling in line and waiting in the regular line just like everyone else :-)
Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining though. While it could make others lose their cool, and considering that I knew myself as someone who "doesn't have the patience of a saint", I would admit that I have been so used to it. Falling in line and waiting has become a part of life. However, yesterday, during a transaction at the supermarket with my colleague, this routine was given with a comic twist.
I accompanied my friend Cherry to do her groceries. As she is a PWD (person with disability) just like me, she's entitled to use the first checkout lane (which is also for senior citizens and pregnant customers) While waiting for our turn, the lady (in her 60's) who was next to us had this weird look on her face as if scrutinizing both of us. I guess she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer, because what came next was a question I never thought I would hear:
"May buntis ba sa inyo?" (TRANSLATION: Is anyone of you pregnant?)
Okay, while becoming pregnant (and becoming a legit wife and mother) was once part of my future hopes, the question kind of placed me in that "wait hindi ako na-orient" moment. Part of me felt giddy for a second but I felt awkward right afterward. It didn't offend though. All it took was just a polite explanation that I was just accompanying a friend who is a PWD (which makes her entitled to the use of the lane). And while she didn't have to, the lady gave an apology. Apparently, she didn't know that neither Cherry or I was amongst those classified as PWD's.
Walking back to the office, Cherry and I just had a good laugh at that incident. Because as funny as it was, while we tend to see ourselves as the "physically-challenged" folks, apparently, there are people who saw (and thought of) something else -- only not in a way we were expecting.
Now, who says falling in line is always a temper-losing activity? At least to the two of us, it's not. For that was one time we got to say, as that tourism tag line puts it, it's more fun in the Philippines :-)
POSTSCRIPT: I am a PWD myself. And while I am entitled to privileges, I rarely use it and only do so when it's REALLY necessary. I don't mind falling in line and waiting in the regular line just like everyone else :-)
2 comments
Hi Glaiza! I discovered your blog through my random blog hop adventures. Glad to have landed here. :)
ReplyDeleteI noticed that most people have that default perception that priority lanes are intended only for Senior Citizens and pregnant women. :) Seldom they realise that another category exists, PWD. I think people only remember it when the disability can be easily observed, i.e. those with wheel chairs and the like.
Years ago, I accompanied my mother, a senior citizen, to the supermarket. We initially queued to the regular lane but we were directed to the Priority Lane. I appreciated the staff who took the initiative then. However, I noticed another customer bumped off when we reached the Priority Lane. The cashier immediately accommodated my mother. I courteously told the cashier to attend to the man who came first. Turns out, the man has a hearing disability. I felt bad, I have a feeling he has been set side for several times already. Although PWDs are granted this "minor courtesy" there are days when they have to explain themselves.
As for your experience, I don't really mind checking out / verifying the people who use the priority lane. Hahaha For me, as long as you don't cut the line... Pet peeve ko talaga ang sumisingit hahaha
Wishing you a great week ahead. You have a nice blog. Keep writing :)
Hi Diane! Thank you for your comment and for lending time to read my blog. I agree with you in saying that people only tend to consider someone as a PWD when they see them in wheelchairs, crutches or if there's any visible body part missing (as in the "generic" description). In some instances, some will need to explain themselves regarding their disability pa just like in my case and that of my colleague -- hindi kasi mapapansin yung defect namin unless people see the way we walk :) Sadly, not all people do recognize na hindi madali para sa lahat ng PWD to explain ang disability nila.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, nakuha naman sa polite explanation yung sa amin with the senior citizen. It's just funny because to be asked if we are pregnant (and it wasn't even evident) was the least (of all the possible) question we expected to hear :)
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