After so many years, I still don’t understand why some commuters steer clear of reserved seats on trains and buses totally. This is so in some other countries too. It seems to reflect inflexibility in thinking. These are priority seats for the more needy – the elderly, pregnant, handicapped and those carrying kids. But even when none of them are in sight, while other seats are already taken, some still avoid these seats. The truth, is when there are none of the more needy around and when you need a seat, these seats become priority seats for you! Why reserve or relinquish a seat for nobody? Why be compassionate to no one when you can be kind to someone? Who? Yourself!
Of course, when you take up such seats, you should still be vigilant – and look out for new boarding commuters who need them more. Then again, this applies whether you are on a reserved seat or not, though those on reserved seats are more obliged to give them up. You can also see taking up a reserved seat as a way to reserve one, to ensure there will be a seat available for someone who needs it more! This is so as some occupy reserved seats while pretending not to see commuters who need them more. As long as you are not one of these folks, please take a seat!
‘After so many years, I still don’t understand why some commuters steer clear of reserved seats on trains and buses totally. This is so in some other countries too. It seems to reflect inflexibility in thinking.’
‘..Why reserve or relinquish a seat for nobody? Why be compassionate to no one when you can be kind to someone? Who? Yourself!’
Feel the same way too. In countries like Japan and Taiwan, fellow passengers frown on those who don’t steer clear of reserved seats on trains and buses.
For me, I would generally avoid reserved seats unless all other available seats have been taken.
I subscribe to being flexible in thinking and being compassionate to myself. 🙂
‘After so many years, I still don’t understand why some commuters steer clear of reserved seats on trains and buses totally. This is so in some other countries too. It seems to reflect inflexibility in thinking.’????
What I see is non-priority people always occupying the reserved seats, despite naming changed from priority to the reserved. What I see often is still the non-priority group sit/sleep on the seats with priority group standing before them. I don’t see much publication of the well done up MTV ” A happy journey” by LTA? being widely propograted. I think it should also be screened at the station tvs just like the educational clips on suspicious articles. And I think the MTV “A Happy Journey” shd be screened in schools & heavily aired on TV channel to implant the right ways to all commuters… :choler:
Hi shian – Maybe they are just being compassionate and polite. The seats can get really warm even after a few minutes of sitting, which can be uncomfortable to some :P. I actually see the commuters who steer clear of reserved seats on trains and buses totally as being more compassionate and polite to others rather than being inflexible 🙂
Could it be the idea of putting others before us is not strong enough? On the contrary, the idea of winning or becoming number 1 is a weightier priority in our education system than anything else, which can be a shame. =((
Hey, finally found this: PCK Phua Chu Kang rap – A Happy Journey Starts Like That!
Very to the point!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1i5es62BGQ
Hope it can be shown more at TV channels & at the stations to implant the seeds (*)
It’s a good direct way to share the etiquette needed, but i do think the Singapore slangs and tones were overdone, which makes it hard to hear the words at the subway!
:blink: