Driving in Metro Manila during the holidays can test anyone’s patience.
Entitled drivers. Impatient motorists. Motorcycles cutting through every gap.
Road rage waiting to happen.
Then there's this car ahead of me moving slowly.
On its rear window was a small sign that said, “Caution: New Driver.”
Just like that, my irritation softened.
I gave her space. I gave her patience. I gave her understanding.
That tiny sign changed how I saw her.
And it made me wonder: would I have been just as patient if the sign hadn’t been there? I can almost definitely say no.
We don’t know what someone is going through. We don’t wear signs that illustrate our personal struggles.
You don’t see signs taped to people’s shirts that say:
Going through a separation.
Feeling depressed.
Diagnosed with cancer.
Tired but trying live.
Perhaps if we could read visually what those around us are going through, then we would have definitely be nicer.
But we shouldn’t have to see signs and have reasons to treat strangers with kindness. We should do it anyway, whether we know what is going on or not. Whether they deserve it or not, let’s give everyone an extra dose of patience.