The Blog Site of Adrian and Jennifer: Social Irresponsibility I

few months ago, I was on the train and to my disgust, there were many young students who would yak their time away seated on the train without bothering with the elderly standing around them.

to quantify the "MANY" statement.... it happened to 3 train rides which I took in a day... now that's like 100% chance out of the many train rides/day out of the many cabins/train out of the many different directions of train/time.... is that coincidence or a reality?

you decide!

on the first two rides, I boarded the train at the begining of the train line and had a seat to myself, upon seeing the elderly, I jolted out of my seat to give way to them. One of the gentleman was so polite about it that we striked up a conversation and he asked me to join PAP! ha ha ha.... I'm not sure if its the post-GE fever still running in him. During the train journey, he shared his experience as a volunteer to serve the country in his own way, his friend vouching for their passion in being part of the political scene in Singapore. it was quite an enjoyable journey sharing their experiences. But I'm not sure if I would take their advice.....

last journey was really frustrating, on one side of the train there were a whole row of girls seated and giggling away. On the other side, was a mother-son team and a few other young students in their school uniform seated. As I was standing, their noise levels rose to incredible decibels that even my ears stuffed with my earphones can hear their squeals and conversations. Well, its public transport....

When an elderly gentleman boarded that cabin with his walking stick, he was clearly elderly and weak. Yet, no one moved their butts!!!

Suddenly the coversations died down, the girls started to close their eyes into sleep and the mother-son team started to stare out of space, the people seated directly under the signs of "Please give up your seats to those in need" were either sleeping or reading profusely. All engaged in their own world....

I was truly disgusted!!! I stared at the students.... but what's the use, they are in "deep" sleep due to their long day at school....

I was really angry at the many students who remained seated, what are they taught in school? Where's social ethics? Wheres that basic courtesy of giving up their seats for the elderly? I remember learning them when I was in primary school, did they take that chapter out of the book these days??

I was also mad with the mother-son team, because they clearly saw the elderly man and yet the mum did not have the decency to ask her son to give up his seat (especially when he was so restless, cannot sit still on his seat). Its a precious moment to teach your child about respect for the elderly. Show them the way to practise good moral and social behaviour. If you do not instil such behaviour at a young age, then when? Do not ask why my son has gone astray, taking drugs and ruining his own life, when as a parent you fail to teach him precious moral values. And in her old age, do not ask why her son doesnt want to take care of her.... it because she has failed to show her son how to do it right!

I stared at those ladies... but their contention were, these seats are not the "special give way seats".

so after a few stops, I asked the elderly man if he was going to be on the train for a long journey, if so, I'll try to persuade someONE to give up their seats for him.... he was very courteous and shook his head to reply no no.... I guess he felt shy and pressurized.

One lady heard me asking the elderly man and she quickly got up. Yes, she responded FINALLY. I guess I spoke loud enough for someone who actually cared enough to move their butts!

these are the photos.... see for yourself!