The Peddler Theory

Last year, when the fuel prices were hiking up to high heavens, I bemoan the fact that my money cannot even give my Brad a full tank. No kidding. For so many months, I would fill Brad three thirds full because beyond that, i will have to forego paying one bill.

During those months of agony, driving through EDSA was a breeze. Once in while, I even ventured at C-5, even though they had started the construction of the second elevated U-turn.

Then fuel prices improved on a weekly basis and at its heels, the Christmas season. The roads started to clog up again. But i had hope. It’s just the season. Everybody’s out shopping all the time. After the holidays, things will return to normal.

Not!

It’s already halfway through February and the road conditions are not improving. I have even started seeing various street peddlers along the streets. It’s that bad.
Do you know you can tell how bad the state of traffic is by the kind of wares you see being sold by the street peddlers? I’ve prepared some sort of a guide for you. Hope it helps.

Stage 1 – Yosi, candies and gums: traffic moves every two minutes or so
Stage 2 – Chicharon, chichacorn and kropek: traffic moves every five to ten minutes
Stage 3 – Mais and Mani: traffic moves every ten to 15 minutes
Stage 4 - Water and Merienda: traffic moves every 15 minutes or so
Stage 5 – I-might-have-some-use-for-that-thing: traffic moves every 15 to 20 minutes
Stage 6 – Wiwi bags: traffic moves every 20 to 30 minutes
Stage 7 – Mani/Pedi services: traffic moves a little less than an hour every time
Stage 8 – Trim/Curl/Straightening services: traffic moves every hour or so
Stage 9 – massage and body treatments: traffic moves every 75 minutes to one & a half an hour
Stage 10 – dvd rental: traffic moves every 2 hours or so





So the next time you’re on the road and you want to know if you should turn back, check the street peddlers before you become sorry.