A passenger who saw a man taking up two seats on a bus refrained from asking if she can take the other seat, as she didn’t want to risk getting hurt or verbally abused.
“MRT train have such people, so are buses,” wrote a Facebook page Complaint Singapore member on Sunday (Sept 11).
She noted that the bus was crowded, but the man “still put a plastic bag on an empty seat depriving others to sit and also with (his) mask not properly put on and cough in the bus!”
The original poster added that it was easy for “keyboard warriors” to comment about becoming mute in public transport during such instances instead of asking the passenger for the available seat.
“I’m not going to risk being punch, being show vulgar sign, speak vulgarity or even spit at you especially talking to an illiterate, selfish and self-entitled old man (sic)!” the woman said.
Netizens advised the original poster to try talking to such passengers before complaining, as there was nothing wrong with asking politely.
“Probably it’s his food in containers, that’s why he placed it on the seat beside. Once again, can always ask him politely,” said Facebook user Paul Anthony Fernandez.
“But after asking politely, he didn’t apologize and gave up the seat; then you can post online. Fear of getting punched etc, in this case, is unfounded as he looks like NS youth (I may be wrong) going back to his camp; hence he will not risk committing any offences.”
“Just tell the man that, ‘Could I have the seat, please?’ Nothing wrong to be polite,” added Facebook user Moh Danial. “Some people simply don’t understand that seats are meant for sitting and not for belongings. So, you can start by politely educating others.” /TISG
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