Sunday, March 15, 2009
Selfish, ungracious, or just mildly deranged?If I really had to thank, it would be the woman on bus service #10 the other day. If not for her, I wouldn't have been inspired to move my lazy butt (and fingers) to come update my blog again. It's amazing how I could be reading about the graciousness of Singaporeans (or the lack of it) in the afternoon, and witness an example of such in the evening.
As I boarded the bus after work, and moved towards the back of the double-decker bus, I recognised one of the passengers seated on the long seats (you know, those seats that faced each other at the back of the bus). Months ago when I saw her, it was the same bus service, just 3 times as crowded, and she and her bags were sprawled across 3 seats (THREE!). I remember looking at her in disgust, while she pretended to sleep, with her fluttering eyelids giving her pretense away. I wasn't quite near her, and I didn't understand why nobody tried to ask her for the seats. The bus was packed to the brim and this selfish woman was obviously enjoying her abundant personal space. My dagger eyes had failed to jolt her from her nap.
This time, there were seats at the back of the bus, and one seat next to this woman, but occupied by her precious pink recycled bag. As before, she and her fluttering eyelids were pretending to be asleep. I stood in front of her, hesitating before I pointed to her bag and said excuse me. Yes, I could have just gone to the back to sit, but curious me wanted to test this woman since fate brought me in front of her (puke). The response I got from her was astonishing. She looked at me (hey i thought she was sleeping, she actually could see me pointing to her bag), and then waved her hand towards the back of the bus, signalling for me to go and sit behind since there were alot of seats! OMG! She refused to move her bag!
At that split second I didn't know whether to be angry or laugh! I glared at her and shook my head (for the other passengers to see how disgusted I was) then moved to the side of the bus to stand at the railings. I met the gaze of another lady whose eyes were almost popping out in shock. "Omg, I saw that!" she said. So I told her I asked for the seat on purpose just to test the woman cos I've seen her in selfish action before. She was utterly disgusted. The next thing we knew, the woman was shouting at a teenage boy who accidentally hit her fat leg that was sticking out and mumbled sorry too softly. "Say louder lah!" she scolded. FAINT! I concluded henceforth that she is mad. No doubt she is rude and selfish, but she is probably mad.
With that, I forgive her.
But if I see her again the next time, I will still ask her for the empty seat she is hogging. Ha.
it got me home
2:34 AM
