04
Jun
MRT trains, and Singaporeans
Yesterday afternoon, I nearly snapped at the train station. Right when the train opens the door, the people trying to board the train would simply take the liberty to push their way into the train car, when alighting passengers have not yet gotten off the train.
As one sharp blogger put it, “logic dictates that the passengers from inside the car need to alight before more can enter it”. It is a social disaster when people think that this behaviour is not only acceptable, but a logical conclusion based upon their years in this education system.
It appears that those trying to force their way into the train are people who have a fear of standing on the train, and would strive their utmost to secure a resting place for their buttocks. The sad truth is that if they had to squeeze to get on the train in the first place, their chances of getting even breathing space on the packed can on wheels is next to impossible, let alone getting a seat. The sadder truth is that most people don’t even think that far.
Making matters worse, nobody thinks it fit to publicly denounce this inconsiderate behaviour. I make it a point to comment loudly to the passengers in the train, but being guilty of that offence themselves, they make no effort to concur, and I am made to feel like the heretic instead.
Peeved, I stand in silence fuming as the train continues its journey. A foreign tourist manages to get her camera out, and takes a picture of her companion.
A young punk with piercings on both his ear lobes and lips stood up from his seat immediately.
“$%&^! Who took picure (sic)?”
I glanced at the old lady holding on to 3 NTUC Fairprice (a local supermart) plastic bags full of groceries, and fumed silently.
If anyone has ever questioned the mandate given to the government, bear in mind that these people on the trains are the ones who gave that “mandate”.
on June 11th, 2006 at 8:48 am
People do that here, too - trying to get on the train before people get off. It’s funny how this is more common at some stations than others, though, as if there’s a different etiquette at one place than another.
The people who annoy me the most, though, are the ones who stand just to the side of the doors and get in the way of people getting on and off the train. When the trains are crowded, you need every bit of space available, and that bit becomes important. People trying to get off get stuck behind the door-blocker, thinking they’re getting off too, and when they don’t get off, the person behind has to shove their way through the incoming crowd.
I hate rush hour trains.
on June 29th, 2006 at 12:52 am
I got desensitised after some time. Whenever I get off, I steel my shoulders, and bulldoze a path in the mass of bodies. Grateful, but silent passengers follow in my wake.
Not very courteous, but it gets the job done. After all, I am an Ugly Singaporean