rantings. II

another mrt drama, this time featuring the commuters.
whats the issue now, you ask?

an aunty and a younger girl arguing over a reserved seat.


whats your first impression when you read the sentence?
who's fault do you think it was? 10 seconds to think!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
most people would automatically think its probably the young girl's fault.
but read on. (:

apparently the young one was sitting down, and the aunty had to ask her for it.
upon sitting down, the aunty still scolded her for being rude, and insulting her to be from China.
to her credit, the girl actually tolerated it for awhile, trying to distract herself with her phone.
but hell eventually broke loose and both were screaming at each other in public.

whose fault ?
i'd say, definitely the aunty

yes, the girl could have been more proactive, i.e. giving up the seat automatically.
but this is definitely naive thinking.
how many people do you see, who give up seats to others who need it more?
and how many people do you see, ignoring the pregnant/injured/elderly?
the latter definitely preceeds the former.

even i, myself, am not perfect.
i know i tend to fall asleep on the train, so i try to take the non-reserved seats as much as i can.
actually i try to stand more, LOL.
cause i know i'll be a potential head-nodder/shoulder-leaner :x

and sometimes even when i wish to offer my seat, i will hesitate.
because there are stupid people who will rush over once my butt leaves halfway.
happened so many fucking times alr, you'd think they're about to faint or what sia. -.-
anyway my trick is i try to catch the attention of my target, and make sure he/she is otw.
which is hard to do on crowded trains. potentially paiseh hahah.

this wont happen if everyone had more consideration for each other.
i quote my awesome colleague siti.
"seriously, if ppl want to give up their seats, they WILL give up their seats, sticker or no sticker."

but i digress.

the main point of my rantings is the general attitude of the elderly in Singapore.

i've seen and observed enough at my workplace, far more than enough actually.
and i can tell you, the society is going to the dogs.

since young i've been raised to show respect towards my elders.
i would try as much as possible to help them if i can.
being advanced in age, they're not as clear-minded or fast, so some patience is needed.

but old people nowadays are not as simple.
i would go to the extent to say that they use age to manipulate you 
i know it sounds very jialat, but its the bitter truth.
they behave as if you owe them the respect, as if you should bow to their every whim and fancy.
they'll demand sympathy and understanding. yes i use the word demand.
they even fake ignorance and push the blame to you for not reminding them.
make one mistake and they'll scold you for being inexperienced, just because you're young.
(okay maybe its just my xmm face, LOL)
they even have split personalities. give in to them and they're nice; you dont, they become nasty.
and they dont even say a simple thank you, or feel grateful.
its expected of you to give in to them, even if they are wrong.

and i would say that the situation is only going to get worse,
judging by the patients in their mid-40s whom i encounter.
by then i do NOT want to be working in the polyclinic. *shudders*

anyway, of course not all elderly people i come across are like that.
there are those who thank you repeatedly, those who silently smile and listen.
they respect you for providing guidance, and are grateful.
they accept your help and even feel apologetic about bothering you.

because they dont act like they deserve it. which makes them deserve it even more.
they are the ones who earn my respect.

and in my opinion,
respect earned is more worth than respect due to.
its the most valuable and sincere.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

if you changed, would it all still remain the same?