I live in the west and work in the east. I have seen many an instance where people were unable to board the trains due to some irresponsible, self-centred folks who would form a physical wall between a relatively empty part of the train cabin and the train door. The struggle some fellow passengers put up at the cabin entrance goes unnoticed by 'these human beings'.

A usual morning train ride to work turned into a very bitter experience for me on Wednesday.

I boarded the east-bound train at Clementi with a friend. When a few passengers alighted at the next station, Dover, I tried to squeeze into their earlier positions so as to accommodate those who were stuck against the train door.

A Chinese man in his 40s who was occupying a considerable amount of space behind me tried to stop me from moving further in with a strong push from his elbow. I kept quiet.

A few stations later, when I had to give way to another passenger, my shoe accidentally touched his. The man expressed his unhappiness. I couldn't hold on this time. I turned to my friend and said: 'Why do some people forget the term 'basic courtesy'?'

Just when I ended my sentence, he slapped me on the face. I confronted him for his actions. But all he could do was to say 'Shut up' and went on swearing at me in Hokkien.

I could have called the police or the station staff for help, but I didn't want to because I feared it might result in unnecessary delay.

Only one question lingers in my mind - when all this was happening, none of the fellow passengers came to my rescue. I tried my best to accommodate others but all I got in return was a slap on my face and no support for my actions. Is this the real price for being courteous?

Balaji R.