I'm pretty sure you must know about how useful Stomp has recently become at exposing some people's "un-graciousness" in the public, most commonly on public transport. In fact, it's not only Stomp, it's social media in general. People would take a video or photo of how a soldier is sitting down in front of an elderly, of how young people are sitting on reserved seats, post them online and lament on the downfall of the society.
Honestly speaking, you gotta admit such actions are effective against the truly "ungracious". But what about the soldier that was simply exhausted from who knows how long of army? Or the youth who actually has an injury that you didn't know about?
And please, what about the elderly standing in front of the soldier? Why didn't he or she kindly wake the soldier up to request for the seat that was reserved for the elderly?
I was just taking the mrt home yesterday after attending the NDP Preview 2, and I was standing at an area in the mrt for the wheelchair-bound. And just so happen, there was an old lady sitting on a wheelchair in the same carriage.
Look, I stood there knowing well that there was a wheelchair-bound on the same carriage, but only because the lady did not move to occupy this area despite having been on the train for 2 stops already.
A lady then approach me, and in a rather stern manner, told me to vacate the space for the old lady on the wheelchair. I did vacate immediately, as the lady wasn't wrong in telling me to do so, I was just unhappy that she had to "scold" me about it. I mean, you could just tell me nicely to vacate that area, or even better, simply approach the old lady if she wants to move to the area.
That got me thinking actually, what a gracious society truly means.
You can't expect every single person to be constantly conscious of his or her surroundings. I shouldn't have to live my life constantly looking out for pregnant ladies, elderly or injured people on public transport and areas.
Because that is simply not possible. And if I have to simply leave all the reserved places empty, isn't that just inefficiency at its best?
Just imagine this, it's the rush hour at 7 am, the trains are super full, especially near the doors, and you see empty reserved seats and wheelchair areas. And then 5 people are stuck outside to wait for the next train because no one dares to use these areas.
Is this really graciousness? Isn't this just fear of cyber bullying?
And so, I believe that a truly gracious society, is one where we can freely request for our own rights whenever it applies. It means that no matter where I am sitting at, if I happen to notice someone who needs a seat more than me, I willingly offer my seat to them. It also means that should I have sprained my ankle and would really need to seat, I should approach someone who is on a reserved seat, explain my situation and request for the seat.
As simply as that.
Wouldn't that erase some of the awkward situations that could arise? For example not being positive if a lady is pregnant or simply on the heavier side.
It would be difficult to reach such a level, I guess. I mean, it's Singapore we're talking about, where smiling to a stranger will be deemed a weird action.
It is a dream nonetheless.
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