Forum: Telling a person’s character from behaviour on a train

The most interesting place to study how people behave is not at the park or in a restaurant, but during MRT rides. It is especially interesting watching those seated in priority seats (Taiwan mulls over revising priority seat rule after clashes on public transport, June 23).

The ugly incidents that have happened on Taiwan’s public transport system will happen in Singapore if the young ignore the plight of the elderly and deprive them of their priority seats on public transport.

In Singapore, we are fortunate to have considerate commuters who are willing to offer their seats to the elderly even when they are not occupying priority seats.

However, it is interesting to watch some seemingly able-bodied young people occupying priority seats.

Some will be busy reading messages or be engrossed in playing games on their mobile phones, so as to have an excuse for not being aware that elderly people are standing in front of them waiting for a seat. Others may pretend to be asleep, waking up in time to alight from the train.

There are also groups of young people chatting and laughing loudly in a world of their own, ignoring all others on the train, including those in need of seats.

Whenever I see someone offering his seat to an elderly person on an MRT train, I will do my part for civic-mindedness and say loudly: “I am proud of you, young man, for being considerate.”

The people nearby will give him an admiring look and I hope those occupying priority seats will feel embarrassed they didn’t give up their seat.

The true character of a person can be seen from the way he conducts himself in public places in front of strangers, and not those he is trying to impress.

Harry Ong Heng Poh