Dumbdumb.
After today, i dare say that i'm not so proud of being a singaporean anymore. Okay, maybe that was being mean, but my trip to school today sure was a huge eye-opener for me. And i realised that no matter how well-schooled/educated one can be, some sure don't have much common sense. Maybe schools should add in a new curriculum called 'Common Sense & You'.
Let me give a recount of what happened:
First, i was at the bus stop waiting for the usual bus to come. Fortunately it came fast enough, but all the seats were taken, although there was still ample space to stand. Well, i won't call her fat, just that maybe she's half a head taller than me and her size is proportional to her height? So anyway this secondary school girl boarded the bus just ahead of me, so she obviously didn't have anywhere to sit either. And so she decided to root herself right at the exit of the bus. If it was only her standing, i sure wouldn't mind her hogging that spot. But the thing is that there are others boarding the bus too! So some people had to squeeze past her to get to the back. Having such a big bag, i sure didn't want to cause a commotion by attempting to get to the back of the bus, so i had to position myself right beside her.
Oh well, i had assumed that she would actually sit down when the bus passes that stop where most of the students in the bus would actually get off. But no...she still had to plant herself at that spot. Finally, after receiving many angry glares from those squashed from the entrance to the exit, she RELUCTANTLY budged and moved one step. Yeah, trust me, i saw the reluctance in her face, as though that certain area held some sentimental value to her. But there were so many freaking seats behind her!!! Why can't she sit her butt down? Then came the part where i almost burst out laughing. Having received a message, she proceded to take out her handphone. As you should all know, secondary school students tend to carry a file in one hand, while the other is used to hold on to the seats/handrails for balance. Now here comes the intriguing part. If you're holding a file in one hand and using the other is text someone on the phone, doesn't that leave you with no hands to hold on to anything for support when the bus jerks? So i almost saw a flying handphone because it slipped halfway off her hand while she struggled to grab the railing.
Now, i sure thought this was enough nonsense for a simple bus ride, but the stupidity of some people sure didn't stop there. Let me ask a question. If you get a seat on a super packed bus, wouldn't you be trying to sit in a comfortable position? Well, this lady thought it was quite smart of her to stick her legs outside while sitting. And having such a small space to stand, i definately had to shift my legs when i turned around to get off the bus. Now, it may be my fault for not having eyes behind my back to see where my leg lands, but it sure was her responsibility as well to make sure no one steps on her dainty feet, especially since she was wearing flip-flops. But yeah, women have huge egos, so i got 'tsk-ed' at rather loudly.
So yeah, that was the end of the bus ride. But that's not the end of the story because there's still the MRT ride to school. Now, i always thought it was basic manners to let those who stood at the entrance points first to board the train earlier. But now it seems that the new rule is that those who are good at shoving people and cutting queues ARE THE ONES who actually get to board the train and in the process get the seats first. So yeah, first this auntie proceeds to plant herself right in front of me when the train arrives, then this uncle shoves me to a side just when i thought i could board the train. And he even tried to irk me when he got a seat just by standing in front of the seat and smiling very widely to himself. Fine, i'm being bitter about him sort of 'stealing' what could've been my potential seat.
That's the end of the drama of what happened on my way to school. But now, this disturbing thing finally happened. You see, recently, i've been seeing how inconsiderate some young adults and teenagers can be on public transport. Now, this thought came to my mind some time ago. What if an old lady boards the MRT during peak hours? Would she also have to stand? Or would someone actually give her their seat. Just last week, my question was answered. This old lady boarded the train while i was heading home. Now, all the seats were occupied by either adults or teenagers while everyone standing was packed like sardines. So, in a saddistic yet fortunate kind of way, this old lady had to stand all the way back, but she wouldn't be allowed to fall onto the ground because she was leaning against those around her, or more specifically, me.
But that was last week. Today, something 'better' happened. On my way back, another old lady boarded the train. And as everyone knows, the new trains have their corner seats at each row in a darker shade of colour, implying that these seats are meant for either the elderly, disabled, pregnant women or young children. But the 2 seats at the entrance where the old lady boarded today was occupied by this rather elderly auntie and a guy who looks like he's in his early 20s. Now this guy was either acting blur or he was totally oblivious to the old lady because he was busy pressing the buttons on his PSP. So when the train moved, the old lady suddenly lost her balance and toppled face first like a bowling pin. Funny, and lucky for her, she landed on both the guy and auntie's lap. Now, instead of helping the old lady, the guy actually gave a loud 'TSK' and continued playing his PSP. So the auntie actually had to help the old lady up and give her seat up.
My goodness. What's Singapore coming to? Well, the elderly might be somewhat of a burden to me, but they sure shouldn't be treated in that way. And i'm sort of hoping that guy's a china man, not because i look down on the social etiquettes of PRC people, but i don't want to know that there are such Singaporeans and that guy really did have a china man sort of look. And guess what? When everyone stared at him in disgust, he actually looked up with a face with the expression, 'Why? Did i do something wrong?'
Okay, i've had enough typing out my account on the outrageous things i've seen in public, so i'll just end with a promise to myself. I'm going to bring a notebook to school everyday to actually take notes down after seeing how useful the notebook has been to Ilyas.