A new trend has emerged as reported in The Sunday Times 24 apr 2011 that selfish MRT commuters hogs the reserved seats by wearing masks. It is long standing anti-social problem that not hard to resolve, why not just legislate with a fine just like no eating in the MRT and no parking at the handicapped parking lots. It will work I am sure but law enforcers should be given some leeways not to fine people who are not feeling well for example. It time to do it after so many years of campaigns and cajoling with comes with little effect. It has in fact becomes worse due to the frequent packed MRTs.

No harm in shoot and shame

Source: The Straits Times 4 Jun 2011

I refer to the report Why Shoot And Shame? (LifeStyle, May 29). I have approached many able-bodied people to give up their seat to an elderly person, or to not hog the seats with their belongings.

My approach is always polite. However, I would receive a blank look from them, as though English was foreign to them. They choose to remain nonchalant.

Publishing photos of these offenders, with their faces shown clearly, will result in their loved ones ridiculing them. This will help such people to behave more graciously in future.

S. Manimaran

I think people miss the point here. The intention is to highlight the problem in society at large. By sharing the unbearable behaviour of fellow citizens with others, one might get the relevant agency to take action.

If you think people shoot-and-shame ‘ugly’ Singaporean behaviour because they, as one interviewee puts it, ‘don’t dare to approach a culprit’, you are probably naive. In many instances, such behaviour boils down to selfishness.

There must be a price to pay for not complying with socially acceptable behaviour. I am all for not just shaming these inconsiderate people, but making sure they pay for it.

Rick Wong

I totally support shooting and shaming because it exposes the culprits who break the law, especially traffic laws, and are inconsiderate.

The authorities cannot be everywhere all the time. Thus, the public must do its part.

I have no qualms about giving the full context of the situation, taking ownership, revealing my identity and confronting the culprits.

Edmund Lee

 

Chivalry is not dead – at least in female MRT commuters

Source: The Straits Times  7 Apr 2012

I AM 76 years old and, of late, have taken to travelling on the MRT instead of driving or taking a taxi. Upon entering the train carriage, I invariably find myself standing in front of the seat nearest the door, that is, the one reserved for the aged, pregnant women and the incapacitated.

All too often, the seat is occupied by an able-bodied youth. The presence of a stooped, white-haired man often has a soporific effect on the occupant of the reserved seat. He falls into a deep slumber, only to miraculously awake when the train reaches his destination. Or he could be so deeply immersed in a game on his cellphone that he is seemingly unaware of my presence.

However, I have become aware of an unusual phenomenon, namely, the emergence of the chivalrous female.

On many an occasion, women, observing my plight, have tapped me on the shoulder, insisting that I accept their seats. My reluctance to take their seats is often brushed aside.

Strangely, none of the rugged young men seated nearby seems to be aware of what has transpired; they are too immersed in their cellphone games to observe the women’s kind acts.

What has happened to our men, who are supposed to ensure the well-being of the weak?

Anthony D’Cruz