uncouth behavior

This all happened inside a jeepney along Katipunan road.

I was sitting quietly, having taken my space in the jeep, waiting for the queue to fill the seats. Finally, a chinita girl took up the last empty seat in front of me. This completes a typical scene of a cramped up UP-Katipunan jeepney with scarce elbow room. No sooner had the jeepney started moving when this chinita girl opposite me whipped out a sleek compact and (drumroll please) started applying make-up. Yep, you read that right. Started applying make-up. Concealer, to be specific. How in the goddamn world could you possibly muster the audacity to apply concealer inside a cramped up jeepney vrooming along the dusty road in the sweltering heat?!

I was thinking, not only does this girl need to review her etiquette; she also needs a crash course in hygiene!

And oh boy, I'd give her the Jeepney Queen title. The atmosphere inside the jeepney was not only smokebelch-infested, but it reeked of “look-at-that-girl-who-can’t-wait-to-get-inside-a-restroom-in-UP” vibe. I was trying my hardest not to laugh. The handkerchief I held over my nose and mouth served a dual purpose: to avoid inhaling the traffic, and for muffling my snickers.

Now this girl, not content with daubing concealer to hide whatever blemishes she have, whisked out her lipstick. And yes, you guessed right. She applied the thing on her kissers. And, what I witnessed next truly sent me shuddering with embarrassment and wonder. I swear to Almighty God I saw her practicing her smile in front of her mirror! Now how freakin’ weird was that? (Take note: the jeep is loaded.) I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who gave a double glance.

Until Balara, she managed to throw so much attention upon herself by alternatingly brushing her hair and peeping on her magic mirror. Oh, and she also took out a bottle of cologne and started treating herself and the girls beside her to a Victoria's Secret spritzfest.

I thought, this is it. This deserves to be on the “Uncouth Behavior” charts. And so, I whipped out my cellphone and tried to zap one at The Thing. A little blurred, but I hope at least that this gives proof that I’m not making this shit up.

P.S. Don't forget to look at the faces of the girls beside her!