I was on the MRT last Saturday when I was making my way to Church. What I saw on the MRT was kind of strange, and I don’t know if its acceptable to be done in public. Well, this was what happened . . .
I was slouching on the MRT seat on my way to church, my head leaning against the glass panel. I was about to doze off, when something caught my attention. You might not believe this but, 2 couples were smooching in the public! Immediately, I was woken up from my drowsy state. I was not the only person watching them. A few small toddlers who were previously running around stopped in their tracks to watch them. Promptly, their mother came and blocked the couple from their view. This led me to think, is smooching in public acceptable??
Obviously, from the mother’s view point, this act was clearly an act of indecency and thus wanted to protect her children from learning from them. However, in my perspective, I feel that it is alright. Maybe it’s because I have seen many movies before with the same sort of scene and I have gotten used to it. But honestly, to me, this is just another way of professing their love for one another. It’s the same as saying I love you in public. But is that wrong? NO! So, likewise, these couples are not doing something unacceptable and thus, I don’t see the point in looking at them in a strange or angry manner.
However, this is just what I think. I would like to hear some responses from you so please feel free to air your views and comment on this thread.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Litter on the bus - Whose fault?
Last Thursday, I remember taking a bus with Jong home and noticed the remains of a very inconsiderate commuter. This is what happened. . .
As I stepped into the bus, the first thing I noticed was the shreds of paper lying on the floor of the bus. These shreds of paper were not drifting across the floor of the bus, but instead were stuck firmly to the ground, hence proving that it was there a long time already. The next thing I noticed was the bubble tea cup lying on the floor with ants in it, once again proving that it has been there for quite long. This led me to think – Whose fault is it?
After thinking for a while, I realize that there were 2 people at fault here. The first is obviously the person that littered on the bus. They might not be the same person, but their crimes are the same, which is littering. Littering is frowned upon in a place like Singapore, who prides itself in being a clean and green city. Littering, on a more serious note, is strictly prohibited on the bus and the person who littered can be fined up to a few hundred dollars. The person who drank the bubble tea in the bus is even worse. He should not even be drinking drinks in the bus as there are clear signals to remind you not to consume any drinks onboard the bus, mainly for the reason to prevent such things from happening.
However, it is also the bus drivers’ fault as well. According to my understanding, the bus driver is supposed to be in charge of maintaining the bus’ cleanliness and working condition. Obviously, he has not been doing his duty well. If he is, these litters would not have still remained on the bus for such a long time. Hence the bus driver is at fault.
From here, we can conclude that everyone has a part to play in keeping the environment clean, from everyday commuters like us, to the bus driver himself.
As I stepped into the bus, the first thing I noticed was the shreds of paper lying on the floor of the bus. These shreds of paper were not drifting across the floor of the bus, but instead were stuck firmly to the ground, hence proving that it was there a long time already. The next thing I noticed was the bubble tea cup lying on the floor with ants in it, once again proving that it has been there for quite long. This led me to think – Whose fault is it?
After thinking for a while, I realize that there were 2 people at fault here. The first is obviously the person that littered on the bus. They might not be the same person, but their crimes are the same, which is littering. Littering is frowned upon in a place like Singapore, who prides itself in being a clean and green city. Littering, on a more serious note, is strictly prohibited on the bus and the person who littered can be fined up to a few hundred dollars. The person who drank the bubble tea in the bus is even worse. He should not even be drinking drinks in the bus as there are clear signals to remind you not to consume any drinks onboard the bus, mainly for the reason to prevent such things from happening.
However, it is also the bus drivers’ fault as well. According to my understanding, the bus driver is supposed to be in charge of maintaining the bus’ cleanliness and working condition. Obviously, he has not been doing his duty well. If he is, these litters would not have still remained on the bus for such a long time. Hence the bus driver is at fault.
From here, we can conclude that everyone has a part to play in keeping the environment clean, from everyday commuters like us, to the bus driver himself.
Impatient Woman
I was taking the bus home after training one day when I saw something that really made me boil. This is what happened . . .
It was the peak hour. 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm and it was guaranteed that the bus was going to be full. True to expectations, the bus was packed like sardines. And to be honest, being on a crowded bus make me very irritable. Hot and humid, combined with the inability to breathe is the perfect combination for irritating a person. Already at this precarious state, a woman did something that really made the blood in my veins boil.
This woman was in her 60s I suppose and had a big mole above her right eye. She clad in a gaudy dress and her face was puffed up with thick mascara. When she wanted to alight at the bus stop near Bukit Timah Market, she just shoved her way through without saying so much as a simple “excuse me” or “please”. When she came to the exit, she was blocked by a guy with a humongous bag. No matter how hard she tried, she jus could not squeeze past. As a result, she kept harassing the girl in front of her and repeatedly ask her in a very impatient tone to “GET OF THE BUS”. The guy with the big bag soon began to realize the obstruction he was causing, and when he was about to move away, he was met with the woman’s icy glare. The girl who was harassed also looked very angry at the impatience of the woman. But as the woman was about to alight, the door closed before her and the bus just left, leaving the woman fuming and smarting and glaring and me, laughing gleefully at the woman.
I was really pissed at the woman and I almost wanted to shout at her, but my self pride held me back. I could not bring my self to argue or bring myself down to the same level as her. I am sure that the guy and girl who were affected by the shameless, impatient woman also felt this way. Sometimes, it makes me wonder how there could be such people in the world.
It was the peak hour. 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm and it was guaranteed that the bus was going to be full. True to expectations, the bus was packed like sardines. And to be honest, being on a crowded bus make me very irritable. Hot and humid, combined with the inability to breathe is the perfect combination for irritating a person. Already at this precarious state, a woman did something that really made the blood in my veins boil.
This woman was in her 60s I suppose and had a big mole above her right eye. She clad in a gaudy dress and her face was puffed up with thick mascara. When she wanted to alight at the bus stop near Bukit Timah Market, she just shoved her way through without saying so much as a simple “excuse me” or “please”. When she came to the exit, she was blocked by a guy with a humongous bag. No matter how hard she tried, she jus could not squeeze past. As a result, she kept harassing the girl in front of her and repeatedly ask her in a very impatient tone to “GET OF THE BUS”. The guy with the big bag soon began to realize the obstruction he was causing, and when he was about to move away, he was met with the woman’s icy glare. The girl who was harassed also looked very angry at the impatience of the woman. But as the woman was about to alight, the door closed before her and the bus just left, leaving the woman fuming and smarting and glaring and me, laughing gleefully at the woman.
I was really pissed at the woman and I almost wanted to shout at her, but my self pride held me back. I could not bring my self to argue or bring myself down to the same level as her. I am sure that the guy and girl who were affected by the shameless, impatient woman also felt this way. Sometimes, it makes me wonder how there could be such people in the world.
Polite Bus Driver (RUDE BUS DRIVER CONTINUED)
This post is written with reference with the previous post on the rude bus driver. This is what happened . . .
About 2 days after the fortunate meeting with the rude bus driver, I still had not topped up my Ez - link card as I did not have the time to do so. (OOPS!!XD) Still remembering what happened 2 days before, I was very weary of another shelling from another bus driver. So, as the bus approached, I timidly inserted 60cents (I learnt my lesson) into the coin collector and wanted to rush to the back of the bus without getting into trouble with another of bus driver. However, as I was making my escape, the bus driver asked my to tap my bus card. Oh dear, not again! I thought.
However, there was something different with this bus driver. He spoke with a cheerful intonation and began his statement with a “Please” and ended it with a “Thank You”. Obediently, I followed his instructions. Then, as I was about to make my second escape, he again stopped me and asked, “Where do you want to go boy?” OH DEAR, NOT AGAIN! I contemplated what to say. I remembered very clearly that I had paid 60 cents this time, but if I told him that I wanted to go to Upper Bukit Timah like last time, I risked getting scolded by this bus driver again. Seeing I was dumbfounded, the bus driver asked me the same question again. Not wanting to create a bad impression of Hwa Chong students, I made up my mind to be honest and tell him the truth. To my surprise and to some extent, relief, the bus driver excepted my answer with no qualms or questions. As he saw the look of bewilderment on my face, the bus driver, in a very calm and gentle manner, explained to me about the new rule imposed by the SMRT Bus Company, which is that those people who pay with coins have 2 different fares depending on the distance of their journey.
I really respect this bus driver. He was very polite in the whole conversation with me and explained to me every detail of the new rule without getting frustrated nor impatient. I feel that this is the proper way to tell the commuters on the new rule and not get fed up with them like the other bus driver. This bus driver has also gone a long way to clear any lingering doubts about the company having good bus drivers. Well done!
About 2 days after the fortunate meeting with the rude bus driver, I still had not topped up my Ez - link card as I did not have the time to do so. (OOPS!!XD) Still remembering what happened 2 days before, I was very weary of another shelling from another bus driver. So, as the bus approached, I timidly inserted 60cents (I learnt my lesson) into the coin collector and wanted to rush to the back of the bus without getting into trouble with another of bus driver. However, as I was making my escape, the bus driver asked my to tap my bus card. Oh dear, not again! I thought.
However, there was something different with this bus driver. He spoke with a cheerful intonation and began his statement with a “Please” and ended it with a “Thank You”. Obediently, I followed his instructions. Then, as I was about to make my second escape, he again stopped me and asked, “Where do you want to go boy?” OH DEAR, NOT AGAIN! I contemplated what to say. I remembered very clearly that I had paid 60 cents this time, but if I told him that I wanted to go to Upper Bukit Timah like last time, I risked getting scolded by this bus driver again. Seeing I was dumbfounded, the bus driver asked me the same question again. Not wanting to create a bad impression of Hwa Chong students, I made up my mind to be honest and tell him the truth. To my surprise and to some extent, relief, the bus driver excepted my answer with no qualms or questions. As he saw the look of bewilderment on my face, the bus driver, in a very calm and gentle manner, explained to me about the new rule imposed by the SMRT Bus Company, which is that those people who pay with coins have 2 different fares depending on the distance of their journey.
I really respect this bus driver. He was very polite in the whole conversation with me and explained to me every detail of the new rule without getting frustrated nor impatient. I feel that this is the proper way to tell the commuters on the new rule and not get fed up with them like the other bus driver. This bus driver has also gone a long way to clear any lingering doubts about the company having good bus drivers. Well done!
Trivia
This is just a small trivia question to test your knowledge. (ANSWERS AT THE BOTTOM)
Q: What are the words imprinted on the YOG buses??
Q: Why are they inverted??
A: Give way
A: This is to let drivers see the the words in the correct orientation when they see it in the mirror.
Q: What are the words imprinted on the YOG buses??
Q: Why are they inverted??
A: Give way
A: This is to let drivers see the the words in the correct orientation when they see it in the mirror.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Disgraceful Singaporeans
As I listened to the speaker from the SBS Transit Bus Company during the assembly today, I suddenly remembered the memorable journey I had on the MRT last Tuesday. This was what happened.
Last Tuesday was a school holiday due to the National Day Celebrations the day before and my church friends and I had agreed to meet up to watch the well - reviewed "Inception". So, I took a train from Bukit Batok to Boon Lay. Along the way, although it was just a small trip, I realised a lot about us Singaporeans, all of which are not positive.
First observation I noticed - Ungracious. As the doors of the MRT opened, the whole crowd who were waiting for the MRT at Jurong East just rushed into the MRT, without letting the people on the inside to alight first. I was terribly appalled at the lack of graciousness of Singaporeans and felt rather disappointed. Did all the effort from the posters that told us to let the passengers inside to get down first before boarding and all the talks in schools on proper behaviour in the MRT go down the drain? Was it to no avail? I was greatly disappointed.
Second observation I made - Ignorant. I didn't think that I would have ever noticed such an act before and I thought I would only come across such things in the newspaper. Anyway, I saw a group of boys playing sitting on the floor playing a game of cards. They were taking a lot of space and were also making a lot of noise with all their excitement that they were causing much disturbance to the other commuters. However, they were ignorant to their glares and stares and continued with their marry making. Ignorant can sometimes be bliss, but not in this case. I was greatly annoyed.
Finally, the last observation I made - Inconsiderate. Again, thisact seems unlikely, as it only comes out in oral books, or so I thought. Anyway, I noticed an old lady, who was holding a walking stick, standing on the MRT. To my dismay, no one bothered to give up their seats for this poor old elderly woman. Again, there are many posters that remind us to give up our seats for the people who need it more like pregnant woman, or elderly folks. However, these posters seem totally ignored. What's worse is that most of the people sitting down were young people. Young people whose legs can possibly stand for more than 10 times the time the poor elderly woman can. And yet, none of them gave up their seats.
Could this really be what Singaporeans are like? A day after 9 August, National Day. A day where we sang that we would stand up for our fellow man. A day after we pledged our loyalty to Singapore and promised we would do everything in our capability to help her. And this? This, to me, is utterly disgraceful.
Last Tuesday was a school holiday due to the National Day Celebrations the day before and my church friends and I had agreed to meet up to watch the well - reviewed "Inception". So, I took a train from Bukit Batok to Boon Lay. Along the way, although it was just a small trip, I realised a lot about us Singaporeans, all of which are not positive.
First observation I noticed - Ungracious. As the doors of the MRT opened, the whole crowd who were waiting for the MRT at Jurong East just rushed into the MRT, without letting the people on the inside to alight first. I was terribly appalled at the lack of graciousness of Singaporeans and felt rather disappointed. Did all the effort from the posters that told us to let the passengers inside to get down first before boarding and all the talks in schools on proper behaviour in the MRT go down the drain? Was it to no avail? I was greatly disappointed.
Second observation I made - Ignorant. I didn't think that I would have ever noticed such an act before and I thought I would only come across such things in the newspaper. Anyway, I saw a group of boys playing sitting on the floor playing a game of cards. They were taking a lot of space and were also making a lot of noise with all their excitement that they were causing much disturbance to the other commuters. However, they were ignorant to their glares and stares and continued with their marry making. Ignorant can sometimes be bliss, but not in this case. I was greatly annoyed.
Finally, the last observation I made - Inconsiderate. Again, thisact seems unlikely, as it only comes out in oral books, or so I thought. Anyway, I noticed an old lady, who was holding a walking stick, standing on the MRT. To my dismay, no one bothered to give up their seats for this poor old elderly woman. Again, there are many posters that remind us to give up our seats for the people who need it more like pregnant woman, or elderly folks. However, these posters seem totally ignored. What's worse is that most of the people sitting down were young people. Young people whose legs can possibly stand for more than 10 times the time the poor elderly woman can. And yet, none of them gave up their seats.
Could this really be what Singaporeans are like? A day after 9 August, National Day. A day where we sang that we would stand up for our fellow man. A day after we pledged our loyalty to Singapore and promised we would do everything in our capability to help her. And this? This, to me, is utterly disgraceful.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Rude Bus Driver
I was taking the bus home on last Thursday when I was met with a very rude bus driver. I knew I had no value in my EZ - link card and thus I paid 50 cents ( I thought it was 45 cents ). I was about to walk to the back of the bus when the bus driver, in a very rude manner, hollered, "Where's your bus card?". I was taken aback by the sudden shout of the bus driver. Like a timid mouse, I obediently scanned the card on the scanner. Then, he took a look at the 50cents I inserted and then, in a very sarcastic manner, asked, "50cents go where?". As I thought I had paid the full amount, I didn't really understand his question. So I asked him again, thinking that I heard wrongly. But again he said the same thing. After a while, the bus driver got so agitated that he said controlling his anger, "Must pay 60cents". Not wanting to anger him further, I did as I was told and went to the back of the bus. As I was walking home that day, I could not help but think about the incident that happened on the bus. I feel that the bus driver was very rude as he immediately raised his tone when he talked to me. He might have thought that I was trying to scam him as other people (especially teens) might have done so. Still, I felt he was too rash and rude. If it was a tourist who had come to Singapore for a slight vacation, and they don't know the bus fares (like me XD), and if this bus driver so happens to be driving the bus and gives them the same treatment as he gave me, that would really ruin the good image of Singapore.
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