To find Singapore’s caring side, you have to go deep
Last week while holidaying in Singapore with my family, I noticed a sign on the MRT train right above the passenger seats: “Show You Care: Offer this seat.”
On boarding the train, I was offered a seat by a young woman in her 30s. I thanked her and sat down.
A moment later, a young couple with two young daughters entered. I offered my seat to them. Another young lady next to me also offered her seat for the other daughter. The young parents thanked us profusely.
I found out later that they were from neighbouring Malaysia.
Upon seeing me standing up and observing I was a “senior”, a young lady on the other side of the aisle offered me her seat. I gladly thanked her and took it.
This incident was quite opposite to the situation a few years ago, when there were frequent reports of Singaporean MRT passengers quarrelling over seats in a not-so-generous manner.
We ended our vacation in Singapore with a very positive impression, thanks to those “Show you Care” signs on the MRT trains!
Chavalit Wannawijitr
Chiang Mai