Realistic things to do in Dhaka traffic

Talking about Dhaka traffic and talking to a wall is almost the same thing. You can scream and shout all you want, but at the end of the day you realise that it feels like talking to a wall, and unfortunately, this wall doesn't have ears as the Bangla saying goes.

While one would think that reports on the loss of productivity would make authorities shift from their seats and get them rushing to fix the drain in money — citizens of Dhaka are constantly made to feel naive even by having the thought of a fix. No authoritative figure is willing to accept traffic as an excuse anymore.

This is when the average citizen has no option but to delve into their inner cynic and actually make the best out of Dhaka traffic. And no, there won't be suggestions to read books, because honestly it's a nauseating affair in a car, a bus, and for the daring few, a motorcycle. Instead here are some fun and actually realistic things to do in Dhaka traffic. 

And no, there won't be suggestions to read books, because honestly it's a nauseating affair in a car, a bus, and for the daring few, a motorcycle. Instead here are some fun and actually realistic things to do in Dhaka traffic.

Rant about the country's conditions with strangers

There's something that feels so inherently nationalistic and cathartic about ranting on living in such horrible conditions with a fellow commuter, that I can't really make sense of it. Whether it's your CNG or rickshaw mama, or a fellow passenger on the bus, or your chauffeur, go on, start up a conversation. You will find yourself going over multiple topics from fuel prices to the Russia-Ukraine war to  load-shedding and many more -- so much so that the passage of time will quicken and ease the wait. Here's another topic that never gets old -- traffic!

It's also humbling to realise that while you will be in your office or your designated place after reaching your destination, the man driving the vehicle has to endure more hours on the road, since literally, that's their profession.

Contemplate on things you want to do but never get the time for

A traffic jam is a classic existential crisis inducer. Since you have to wait excruciating hours doing nothing, why not remember that load of dirty clothes you have sitting on the chair for over four weeks? And while we're at it, let's not forget that instrument you once used to play that brought you joy, the book you started and never finished or even the new skill you wanted to adopt, but never got to start. Because you never have as much time as other people living in other cities do. Well, even if you don't want to, your mind is going to wander the longer you stay in traffic. Best take a dip in the void before you distract yourself with productivity again.

Fry your brain with social media content

For the faint-hearted who don't want to take an adventurous ride through their minds, social media is the saviour. I mean, why waste time on consciousness when you can get yourself mindlessly addicted to a screen? And thank goodness for reels, right? Short 30-second videos that swipe up automatically when you're done watching. Not to mention how fast time goes by when you get caught in a 'reelception', forgetting why you got onto the social media platform in the first place. Let the tech lords micro-analyse your every behaviour and manufacture your every want and need.

Leave!

As a capital dweller probably the most civic-sensible thing you can do to save it, and fellow traffic worms, is to leave. Not only would that reduce the population, you can also talk about how much you miss Dhaka while living in a pollution-free, traffic free region or country. Slowly, you'll see yourself transition into Hannah Montana, living the best of both worlds. But plan ahead, it's going to take time to escape, because you know... traffic.