Moral courage

I was travelling in the subway, when I heard someone spit. He was seated at the back of the train and when I turned around, he did that again and on the seat this time. I commented loudly on his incivility.

The other commuters were equally irritated by his behaviour but none went up to tell him off. I was tempted to head to the front and tell the driver, but hubby gave me a nudge and advised against blowing the matter up. "You'll never know what he'll do to you." This comment his resonates, even in my dreams,

Out of my dreamland, would I have the moral courage to tell him off? Would I, like the other commuters, merely grumble under my breath? Or would I simply put up with the behaviour and not do anything to avoid trouble?

I had my fair share of “reminding” people against spitting on floors, smoking in lifts, littering, forcing their way into trains before commuters alight etc. Some of them pretended not to hear it, some simply ignored and fortunately, some felt ashamed of their ungracious acts.

Today, I managed to make a litterbug picked up his own litter via my “2-sec icy stare”. He thought no one noticed him “naturally dropping” a crushed Old Chang Kee paper bag and tissue while standing. I was just walking past and caught the act. I stared at him. He saw me, 2 seconds…and he bent down to pick them up.

I hope he did that because he knew it wasn’t right to litter or he realised that the litter had actually slipped his hands…and not because he was worried I could be one of those undercover NEA officer who catches litterbugs and send them for CWO (Corrective Work Order). But I’m glad the litter was no longer a litter.

I don’t have to wait for “the relevant authorities” to empower me to correct such acts. We can, in our own little ways, make things better. It’s not that difficult but it takes courage and…practice? I used to be the one type who would rather keep quiet and tolerate such behaviours. I used to be hesitant in offering my seat to those who need, not because I’m contemplating whether this person needs the seat or I’m not willing to give up my seat, but because I’m shy to do so and what happens if the person rejects my offer?

Perhaps I’ve passed the stage of being overly bothered by what others think of me (thou I still fall into that trap occasionally), or maybe my skin has thickened with age, I’m more willing to voice out and now, I’m more ready to offer seats without taking a long time to decide and feeling too embarrassed. Hopefully, I can be a good example to others and influence them to join me. It was heartening to see some of the responses. Some offered to help me carry my stuff while they took the seats offered, while some even kept a lookout for an empty seat for me during the journey. Well, even if they don’t do all these, a simple appreciative smile is enough for me.

So uncles and aunties, we know that there will be those who just won’t offer their seats to you, but if you behave in a kisasu manner, people would be put off and honestly, I don’t think I would offer my seat to you too. Sometimes standing for a few stops won’t tire you that much and might do some good for your leg muscles.

As for the working execs, I know you have a hard day at work. Well who doesn’t? But seriously, I don’t think you would be that lucky to meet an elderly or a pregnant lady every time you commute. Don't forget you too, will grow old one day.

To my morally courageous comrades, my advice is to depend on your judgement on the appropriateness of the time, place and type of audience before you "do your thing". I wouldn’t recommend doing that to a group of tattooed fellas at a void deck when you're alone. That’s as good as inviting trouble.

A drop hollows out a stone. Albeit these are very little gestures, they make a difference.