Micro Etiquette

The micro is my primary means of transportation. These friendly little vans seat usually seat 12, with enough room to squeeze in 2, or at times 3 more, who have to awkwardly squat. A ride anywhere in Damascus and the nearby environs is 5 lira or about 10 cents. They run on almost-always regular routes, with destinations written on the top. I take them just about any where at any time, except between 2 and 6 am they can be rather thin on the ground. They are a pretty awesome public transportation system.

Their use is quite simple:
As you see the micro you would like to take approaching, signal to the driver to stop. Stick your hand out and kind of wave it. Or something. Just indicate your desire for a ride. But not too much, cause then you'll look kind of spastic. Be cool, yo. The driver will either slow down, or put out his hand to indicate that the seats are full but you can squat if you'd like, or just wave a refusal based on the stuffed state of his micro. Then you wait more. At certain popular micro-stops, such as Bob Toma and Shariah Sawra, you will have to fight a bit to get on one. Women less so, as men will often step aside to let you on.

Once on the micro take any open seat. Usually women prefer to sit next to women, but often necessity dictates sitting next to man. Men will often shift seats to let women sit next to one another, but this is a luxury for times other than the morning, afternoon, or Thursday night rush, when you are to have caught a micro with a free seat. If you have gotten on a full micro, squat for about 5 seconds, at which point (if you a woman) a man will insist you take his seat. Take out your money and hand it to a man sitting in front of you. All change will be passed up to one of the men directly behind the driver, who will pay the driver and make sure every one gets correct change. If everyone occupying these seats are women, the money can be given to one of them to make change, but generally a man is preferred. In certain circumstances, even a random foreign chick with a weird hat can take on this duty.

When you are near your stop, tell the driver to go to the right (please) or that you would like to get down here. He will pull over to the right. Say thank you as you exit!