Friday, August 21, 2009
nonchalance
was on the bus the other night. around 7ish. 190 is, as usual, very pops among commuters. so my bus stopped along orchard road and i was standing right about the middle of the slinky bus. alot of people wanted to get up from the takashimaya bus stop, and there were lots of space towards the end of the bus. however, many people just refused to move in. so the bus was stationary for a good 5mins as people are stuck at the door trying hard to squeeze on while others just refuse to budge. despite the driver's repeated calls to move to the back, none of them did. inside of me i really wanted to call out to those in front of me and ask them to move back. but somehow there was just something in me that stopped me from saying anything. i was rather disappointed in myself after getting off the bus. i thought that after 15 years of education i should at least say something at that time.
some people may say that its due to westernization that singaporeans are becoming more individualistic and thus nonchalant to such situations. if only they can put themselves in the shoes of those stuck at the door; they want so much to get on the bus after a day's work so that they could get home asap to their loved ones, or they want so much to rush home for that warm meal from their mums. but to me, i think it's not so much of influence from the western world but more because of the fact that it's not habitual for humans to think for others unless those people matter. Ironically, i think those in the westernized world are in fact more likely to show public courtesy than singaporeans. perhaps the singapore society has focused so much on practicality as a key for survival/success that the wrong values have been infused into our minds. i cant say that for all, (for i do witness acts of kindness occasionally) but to most singaporeans, public courtesy is still lacking in their behavior. that being said, it's not just singaporeans who are like that. i believe many asian countries in general are falling into this pit. perhaps they are being selective when being exposed to the western culture; adopting the individualistic culture but not the passion they have in relating to people around (whether they know them or not). In the process, they are even losing the communal part of them. races no longer identify themselves as one. we see conflicts arising within races and cultural groups. its as simple as how hong kong people show their dislike for chinese from mainland china. it is sad seeing such events happening, but i suppose individualism is a sign of development for our society.
for me, maybe it's right to say that if someone do not matter, how they feel or think or are treated are of no concern at all. but to me it's more of whether or not one can live with their own justifications. and i have allowed myself to succumb to that nonchalance. well done.
