A 'Hall of Shame'

Noorhayati Rahamat wrote to Today suggesting a section of photographs showing people who are a menace to society through their manners. I fully agree with it. Singaporeans are known to be concerned about 'losing face' and maintaining their reputation. This fear in them should provoke them into acting with decorum around others.

Still, there is a qualm to grapple with. Remember the Hongkong Uncle incident? When it was broadcast over the Internet, people actually got so agitated over it that he was assaulted in the name of righteousness. I hope Singaporeans don't do the same.

Neil Humphreys cited an incident in London when he was still schooling. The old lady whose seat was snatched by a young girl snatched her up and berated her for being disrespectful, insolent and inconsiderate.

Yes, having the victims stand up for their own rights would be more effective for stamping out impoliteness on public transport. Age may be an issue but injustice can summon strength from within one never thought possible before. Benign by-standers would not be accused of being busybodies then. Together, we can make a difference, nationalistically cliched though it sounds.

He mentioned some forms of repulsive behaviour prevalent on local public transport. I would like to add to his list.

Steel poles are not meant for leaning on but for holding on. Singaporeans have not got this basic piece of knowledge into their heads.

Physical intimacy between lovebirds is really more private and special when displayed within the four walls of a home. Holding hands or having arms around the shoulders or waist at the very most is still acceptable. I'm not being a prude here but more consideration would be appreciated from especially the broken-hearted or unattached, before lovebirds decide to do things which offend sensibilities. I'm not speaking for myself though.

A recent article on people insisting on entering lifts despite a medical emergency team with a casualty inside makes me feel disgusted with such a selfish attitude. Where is the sense of decent sensitivity?

Of course, humility is sorely lacking when we're criticized. This couple retaliated when told to stop eating on the train by a fellow commuter. They obviously wanted to retain their 'face' when told off in front of everyone.
They were definitely wrong in this case. The commuter was doing the right thing by being so "kapo".

However, Lim Boon Hee mentioned that "too much vigilance will result in a self-righteous society where kaypohs pick on everything they don't approve of in the name of creating more civil living." It's true to say that some people may do so only to get grateful looks from others instead of sincerely wanting to right wrongs and restore a sense of decorum. We will then have to deal with the problems of complacency and arrogance instead!

There is also the issue of subjectivity involved. "Everyone has different views and standards of what constitutes acceptable public behaviour...seek(ing) to impose what each believes to be acceptable behaviour." Disunity will be the consequence, as each "self-appointed nann(y) of good public behavioural standards" strives to convince others of his principles.

There needs to be a socially accepted criteria on proper behavioural etiquette, which is again subjective in itself anyway, since the committee which comes up with it is made up of individuals with individual opinions.