Priority Seats

This morning, I was waiting for the train to get to work.

When the train door opened, I saw a lady standing near the door. That really got my blood pumping since she looked like she is at least 6 - 7 months pregnant. The "priority seat" I assumed, was taken and that's why she stood holding on to the pole near the door.

You see, my stop, Tampines is only 1 stop from Pasir Ris which is where the train would have originated from. Not only she did not get a seat, she was left standing there. It is my pet peeve as I know how difficult it is to be pregnant.

In Tokyo and Seoul where I had the opportunity to take my family for holidays, priority seats are really priority seats. They are given up to old folks, pregnant women and folks with young kids with them. No matter where we went, as we had young kids with us, we always have a seat. Always. The Japanese and Koreans were truly gracious...as compared to us Singaporeans.

My friend noticed that whenever an "eligible" passenger get up the train, miraculously everyone would be asleep and not able to give up their seats. Others noticed that the younger generation are the ones hogging the seats, PSP or DS2 in hand. What ever happened to a more gracious and caring nation?

Everytime I see a situation like this, I feel like going to the offender and slapping them awake or taking their game set away. What was wrong with these people? Are they so tired that they did not care what happened to their fellow human beings in need or so selfish that all they think about is themselves?

The train came and we were squashed to the centre of the train car. Then I spot an old man (who could hardly balance) walk into our car. The young man sitting in the priority seat, abeit a a bit slow, gave up his seat to the old man.

Thank goodness my husband did not need to bail me out of the police station this morning for assault.