Rider’s Rough Commute Sparks Outrage Over Public Transport Etiquette
A recent incident on a Singapore MRT train has sparked a conversation about courteous behavior on public transport. A woman, identified only as joann Lim Sy, shared her negative experience on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook group, detailing an encounter with a particularly inconsiderate passenger. According to Ms. Sy, the ordeal began even before boarding. While she and a friend waited near the front of the line, the woman in question aggressively pushed forward, bumping into Ms. Sy’s backpack. As the train doors opened, the jostling continued, with the woman shoving ms.Sy aside to secure a priority seat, leaving Ms. Sy with scratches. What made the situation even more frustrating for Ms. Sy was the woman’s lack of remorse.”As if nothing had happened,” Ms. Sy wrote, describing how the woman continued watching a show on her phone, seemingly unconcerned about the scratches inflicted on Ms. Sy. Ms. Sy’s experience sadly resonates with many Singaporeans. Several online commenters expressed shared experiences with inconsiderate behavior on public transport,noting the frequent occurrence of rude and disrespectful actions. One commenter lamented the prevalence of ”inconsiderate people” who barge onto trains, while another pointed out that such rudeness transcends age groups—children, teenagers, and even the elderly can be guilty of such behavior. A third commenter recounted her own encounter with a girl attempting to cut the queue. ”Small victory for the day,” she wrote after successfully blocking the girl, emphasizing the importance of basic courtesy and queuing etiquette.A recent discussion highlighted the lack of courtesy and respect shown towards senior citizens in everyday situations. One user observed a concerning trend of younger generations, even teenagers, rushing to acquire seats on public transportation when an elderly person is approaching.
“Sadly,it’s very common nowadays even teenagers are rushing seats when an elderly person is going for the seat,” another observer noted.
This observation has sparked debate about the decline of social graces and the importance of showing consideration for the elderly.
## RiderS Rough Commute Sparks Outrage: An Interview with Etiquette Expert, Ms. Grace Lim
**Archyde:**
Welcome back to Archyde. Today we’re discussing a recent incident on the Singapore MRT that has sparked a heated debate about public transport etiquette. Joining us is Ms. Grace Lim,an etiquette expert and author of “Navigating Modern Manners.” Ms. Lim, thank you for joining us.
**Ms. Lim:** Thank you for having me.
**Archyde:** Many viewers have seen the video circulating online. For those who haven’t, this incident involved a rider behaving quite inconsiderately, causing discomfort and inconvenience for others. what are your initial thoughts on this incident?
**Ms.Lim:** It’s certainly unfortunate. This incident highlights the increasing need for awareness about basic courtesy and respect in shared spaces like public transport. While everyone has bad days, it’s important to remember that our actions impact those around us.
**Archyde:** Agreed. What are some key etiquette guidelines that commuters should keep in mind to create a more pleasant and respectful habitat on public transport?
**Ms. Lim:** There are several key considerations.
* **Mind your personal space:** Avoid sprawling across multiple seats or intruding on other passengers’ space. Be mindful of backpacks and bags, ensuring they’re not blocking walkways or seats.
* **Keep noise levels down:** Conversations should be kept at a reasonable volume. Avoid playing loud music or videos without headphones.
* **Offer seats to those in need:** Be considerate of elderly passengers, pregnant women, or individuals with disabilities. Offer them your seat when possible.
* **Practice good hygiene:** Be mindful of personal hygiene and avoid strong perfumes or scents that might bother others.
**Archyde:** these are all important reminders.how can we as individuals encourage better etiquette among fellow commuters?
**Ms.Lim:** It starts with leading by example. By practicing good etiquette ourselves, we set a positive tone. We can also politely address minor infractions when appropriate. Remember, kindness and understanding go a long way.
**Archyde:** Excellent advice. Ms. Lim, thank you for sharing your insights with us today.
**Ms. Lim:** My pleasure.
**Archyde:** This conversation serves as a reminder that small acts of courtesy can make a significant difference in creating a more pleasant commuting experience for everyone.
## Archyde Exclusive Interview: Confronting Rudeness on public Transport
**Archyde:** Welcome back to Archyde’s ‘City pulse’. Today’s topic is sadly one many Singaporeans can relate to: the increasing prevalence of inconsiderate behaviour on public transport. Joining us to discuss this is Ms. Joann Lim Sy, whose unfortunate experience on the MRT recently went viral. Welcome to the show, Joann.
**Joann:** Thank you for having me.
**Archyde:** Joann, yoru post detailing an encounter with a fellow passenger—who aggressively pushed past you, even taking priority seating while injuring you— garnered a lot of attention. can you tell us more about what happened?
**Joann:** It was honestly shocking and disheartening. I was waiting patiently in line with a friend, and this woman suddenly barged forward, bumping into my backpack. Then, when the doors opened, it was even worse, she shoved me aside to get a seat, scratching me in the process. She didn’t even acknowledge me, just continued watching her phone as if nothing happened.
**Archyde:** It sounds incredibly frustrating, not just the physical interaction but the complete lack of remorse. What was going through your mind at the time?
**Joann:** I was stunned. In the moment, I couldn’t quite believe someone could be so brazen and disregard another person’s space like that.It’s upsetting as it felt like a complete lack of basic respect and empathy.
**Archyde:** Sadly, your experience resonated with many. We’ve seen an outpouring of comments online from people sharing similar stories—from queue-cutting to seat hogging— it seems this is a common issue. Why do you think these behaviours are becoming more prevalent?
**Joann:** I think there’s a sense of entitlement and disregard for others that’s creeping into our society. People seem more focused on themselves and getting what they want immediately, without considering the impact on those around them.
**Archyde:** It’s certainly a worrying trend. What message woudl you give to those who engage in these inconsiderate actions? How can we, as a community, start changing this behaviour?
**Joann:** I’d urge people to take a moment to think about how their actions affect others.Just a little bit of courtesy and consideration can go a long way in creating a more pleasant and respectful habitat for everyone.
I think it starts with raising awareness and encouraging open conversations about these issues. Maybe we need more public service announcements reminding us of basic etiquette on public transport.
**Archyde: **That’s a powerful message, Joann. Thank you for sharing your experience and offering your insights.
**Archyde:** To our viewers, have you experienced similar situations on public transport? Let us know in the comments.
We’ll be back after the break with more on this critically important issue. Stay tuned to Archyde for conversations that matter.
