Don't Pretend You Didn't See

Yesterday morning, I was in the crowded train on the way to school. I always love to see how inconsiderate, or considerate, Singaporeans can be.

I especially love to see people giving up their seats for the elderly folks. I like that feeling. It makes me feel good. So when able-bodied people remain seated despite having seen an elderly folk standing, it makes my blood boil. I always get myself so close to asking these people if they'd like to give up their seat to an elderly.

It's really cool how people are able to not see someone standing in front of them.

But sometimes, elderly folks take it a little too far. They take advantage of their being old. It's like, "I'm an elderly, so you should always give in to me as I'll always be right."

So this elderly woman entered the moderately crowded train car and instead of being all mellow, as how I think elderly folks should be, grew frantic 'searching' for a seat. Well, there was none in sight, so she started staring at the people who were seated.

I definitely support the whole 'Give up this seat to someone who needs it more than you do" idea. But that's gotta come from within, and not from guilt. The way the elderly lady was glaring at people, it kinda made them look and feel bad. That's all unnecessary.

Finally, someone gave up his seat for her. And for the first time, I felt that it wasn't that nice to witness that kind of scene.

Then there was another time when a full-blown pregnant lady felt she was queen. Marched right into the train car. Another lady promptly gave up her seat for the pregnant woman. Queen, she felt she was, so she sat down, without any expression of gratitude. Not even a thanks. Like what the hell?! That's taking the situation for granted.

We all know you need that cold, hard seat more, but you don't have to throw your weight around. Everyone knows. It's just that sometimes it's a little difficult to give up your seat. It's well, embarassing to some people. It's like having to step up to say something about the country. People don't like doing it.

Oh well, let's all live in peace and harmony. In other words, let's all be silent. If we really really really have to speak up, it had better be good things we say.