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21 Jun 2012, 8.05AM

27 comments & replies |by Guest | Our Common Space

A video of a young girl arguing with a middle-aged auntie over an MRT seat is going viral and it has all the makings of a truly "local production" -- spectacular Singlish, fashionably trendy Ah Lian, grumpy old auntie and of course, the obligatory "why you stare at me".

First posted on STOMP, the 4-minute long video shows how what appears to be a minor disagreement blow up into a full-scale shouting match complete with Singlish and expletives -- all this in full view of amused commuters on a busy train.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the original video on STOMP has over 70, 000 views.
It's not clear how the argument started but it appears to be over an MRT seat reserved for the elderly and handicapped.

Although it appears the young woman had already given up her seat, the older woman begins to lecture her over her bad manners, saying she "had to ask for the seat" and that the woman was "most probably coming from China."

The younger woman initially tries to ignore the scolding by playing with her phone but when the auntie decides to take a photo of her to "show to the public", she finally shoots back a "death stare" and replies with "I let you sit, you still say so much for what?"

As the auntie tries to take her photo again, she retorts with an outstretched finger, "You must take photo for f***!" to which the auntie replies "why you stare at me?!".

The shouting match eventually ends when the young woman gets off at the next stop after Tanjong Pagar MRT, leaving the embarrassed auntie by her lonesome self.
Now, who says MRT rides in Singapore are without (uniquely Singapore) drama?

___________________________________________________________________

PLEASE TAKE DOWN THE ELDERLY SEAT STICKER AWAY FROM THE MRT.

IT'S creating trouble. Not helping.

SMRT only push all the Overcrowded issue back to the people. We pay money to "STAND up for SINGAPORE" in MRT.

ELDERLY shouldn't ASK FOR THE SEAT. They are not ALLOW. SMRT should state that. Nowdays what the point of blaming us ?

2449 views | 27 comments & replies |

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Guest

21 Jun 2012, 11.25AM

Occasionally, we saw youngsters don't gave up their seats, but these youngsters were usually foreigners not locals due to their accent, but most of the time, our local youngsters give up their seats automatically without being asked, while some even asked the elderlys to have their seats. Its time for MRT to air video of giving up seats while on the move. This will enhance the automation of giving up seats to the elderlys.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 11.43AM

I am a "youngster" (50) and I always give up my seat to the Elderly. Even if I am NOT seated on the hot seat.

Just what is the big deal about a stu*pid seat in the MRT?!

If youngster dont want to give up the seat, no big deal.

If youngster give up the seat to you, just say "Thank You" sit and shut up!?

Dont sit, just say "No Thanks" and shut up?!

When I give up my seat to the Elderly, I mostly hear them say "Kam siah", "Thank You", "Tor Chear". I smile back.

Some Elderly are quite fit, and I look and try to judge awhile, if they look my way, I will ask them. If they dont look my way. I continue to sit (even not sitting on the hot seat).

For ladies, sometimes I got a problem!

I try to look at the size of their tummy?!

I worry they accuse me of "molesting" or committing "eye rape" how?!

I worry if I offer my seat, but they are just over-weight and NOT pregnant how?

I worry if I offer my seat, I get slapped by them, because they are only over-weight, fat, and worse still single (even virgin)...........they accuse me of "insulting" them as being impregnated but unmarried, and pregnant then how?!

SO....................What's the big deal about a STU*PID seat in the MRT?!

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 2.14PM

It a big thing for the elderly in Singapore. ONE SEAT IS THEIR LIFE and DEATH.

50++ you call ELDERLY HUH ? When you 70++ then say lah.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 2.25PM

Many times we saw youngsters standing even there are some seats available as they knew some needy needs them most, but some thirty+ carrying a small laptop slam onto any available seats whether these seats are meant for the elderlys or not - believed to be foreigners, they just don't bother even clear signs were indicating - reserved for needy. How to make them aware of giving up seats for the needy?

Maybe train operators may used voice messages " Kindly give up your seats to those who need most"

Everyone will aged some day and may need the seats for their weak legs.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 8.32AM

Because our Singaporean youth are LAZY, DUMB AND USELESS. The old lady was tight in scolding that foolish girl. Just because you gave up a seat doesn't make you special. This isthe problem with our youth. All ungrateful and uncouth brats. Just like that boy who spouted profanities to our DPM Teo Chee Hean.
That is the example who s.crewed up our youth is and how Singapore will be in trouble if we rely on these usless *****s.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 8.36AM

Because our youth Singaporean have such a KINDNESS HEART. That our ELDERLY Have been taking ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM and starting no respect for anyone.

If in other country. The person who act elderly already "DEAD". Try that in MALAYSIA and see the POLICE CARE OR NOT ? The POLICE SHOOT you who COMPLAIN SO MUCH.

OUR DPM teo when ga na SCOLD by the 17 years old boy. NO ONE COME UP AND HELP him and all CHEER FOR THE 17 years OLD boy.

JUSTICE IS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE. NOT YOURS.

IF DPM so good. Everyone will be asking the BOY to get out right ? But all LAUGH AND SUPPORT HIM WHY HUH ?

RESPECT WHAT ?

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 9.45AM

I just don't understand how this can go viral. Are we that free or that petty these days?

Fat MaMa

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 9.54AM

Understand that in Singapore. MRT only know how to patch sticker on the SEAT. Not doing anything about overcrowding.

This is getting out of hand. SMRT should responible for it.

Put sticker there say, PEOPLE CAN SAY " NO " to offer seat as well. It's not entitlement.

OLD people can go and died if they feel the world don't suit them.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 10.55AM

i hope when you grow old, people treat you like you treat the aged

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 2.12PM

ALL grow old. Problem is I already OLD. I see our YOUTH dying and getting bully. Their 20++ all suffering. So many competition.

Do you think I should keep my mouth shut ?

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 2.56PM

no, i don't think you need to keep your mouth shut, but you do need a little bit more of life experience to understand the delivery of your message is sometimes also as important as the content for the message to be accepted by your audience.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 11.04AM

"OLD people can go and died if they feel the world don't suit them."

+++++++++++

Do you have "OLD" parents?

Or they have "go died" from your cursing?!

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 2.05PM

DEAD already meaning it's gone already. Why worry ? No more worry.

Nowdays Parents huh ? So many DIVORCE CASE.

What you expect the youth to learn from their parents ?

Anyway died also spend money OK ! $10,000++ ! Not cheap nowdays.

The youth want to get married ? Nowdays $30,000 ? So many of them ROM only loh. No money liao. You parents should know mah.

In china, the children marriage depend on their parents. Parents come out with money you know ?

In Singapore you expect to pay 100% and buy your own $300,000 HDB.

Who is strawberry ? China or Singaporean ?

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 10.08AM

this is very symptomatic of the breakdown in our civil society and our kampung spirit.

there is no right or wrong in this situation, just a current reflection of how as a nation we have regressed into a selfish, self-entitled and uncaring society.

in the past, the aunty would not have been so brazen to lash out at someone who gave up his/her seat (reluctantly or not) and people would not think twice about giving up seats to the elderly, maimed, pregnant, etc. it was simply basic courtesy and simple civic duty.

Very sad of affairs when there is such a sense of entitlement across generations. it is all very calculative and a requirement that everything we do has to be a quid pro quo arrangement.

i hope people will not look for excuses in this saying it is the government's fault, it is the foreigners fault, it is the lack of resources and space, etc. it does not go further than ourselves to reflect how we are as a people and how we treat our fellow human beings. one cannot blame others for how we conduct ourselves. it is a choice, no one forced us to be rude or antagonistic.

Guest

23 Jun 2012, 11.31AM

As a senior, and most of the time, I was given a seat whenever in a train or a bus. Only on very few occasion, I was not given the opportunity, but usually the waiting for a seat is in a very short duration, thanks to our local youngsters that leading the role of good smaritans. Rushing for seats are those FOREIGNERS and not our locals as our locals usually stand than seated. They knew who needs those seats better then they do!

Well Done locals (Singaporeans)!

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 11.40AM

Give seat to elderly. How old is consider as elderly? 45? 55? 65? 75?
I have seen elderly who looks like above 70, still standing strong and steady.
I have seen someone who looks like less than 50 and yet looks haggered and weak.
So who should I give the seat to?
I have come across woman with big tummy. The tricky part is are they fat or are they pregnant?
What if I give her the seat and she isn't pregnant. I might be a *****er and might also embarrassed her.
Ever thought of the young being drained off and tired or even sick, they might need the seat too.
So, don't make it a compulsory through reservation, for that will encourage certain people like the older lady to demand.
When thing reached a state when someone demands, it may turned ugly. For the owner of that seat also had paid the fare to have a right to seat. We should let nature takes its cause, those who willingly gives up their seat should be appreciated. Do it naturally, you want to offer your seat, offer it.
I'm in my fifties. There are days when I am tired and I don't give up my seat, hoping someone else do it. There are days when I feel energetic and good, I'll offer my seat without fuss.
I too have been offered seat, I will just take it and thanks the one giving up the seat for me. There are times when I am not sure who to give my seat to. There are more than one elderly and there are young kids too. Just give my seat to the neaerest one and hopefully others will offer theirs to the others.
All said, to those who can give, give it willingly without fuss. To those who can't get a seat, bear with it, don't demand.
With our trains and buses built with more room to stands, there will be more tired legs out there than just the elderly, pregnant, handicapped. If you really need a seat, asked politely, even if the one you asked, turns you down, I am sure someone who heards your request might offer you their seat. Sometime it is the elderly who spoil the show, when someone offers them their seat, they turn them down without an appreciation and the seat is taken by another person, this makes the one that offers the seat a fool. I don't make this up, for I have personally encountered that many times, thus, sometime quite hesistant to offer my seat to the elderly.

Guest

23 Jun 2012, 11.53AM

I totally agree with your good comment.

In my opinion...
Giving up a seat is totally up to that person's good will and not by force.
It's a first come first serve basis since it is a public transportation.
Under normal circumstances, youngsters will give up their seat for elderly even
if it is not a designated seat for the needy.

As such, I personally think we should only define 'needy' for pregnant mothers, mothers with infant and the special ones - 'blind, crippled or injured'.
But not for elderly because it is a grey area. Are we going to define by age? If yes, are we going to validate their IC before offering them the seats? Seriously no.

There are few times I offered my seat for the elderly folks, but they rejected me offer.
The latest one was an old couple which I offered my seat but was turned down
- and they are at least 80 years old.
Even wonder why most old people are happy when we addressed them by "big brother" or "big sister" instead of calling them "Ah Pak" or "Ah Po".

When we reached 50s or 60's, we would want to turn back the time and be young forever.
Some elders may think it's humiliating because when we offer them the seat
- we are indirectly telling them - you're really old.

Now this is what I think about that 'Ah Lian'....
I don't blame her for reacted as such. In fact, I do respect her actually
for being able to tolerate such as massive 'fire power' and remains calm.
Maybe she is not aware of that 'Ah So' because she is playing with her phone.
It's true that we won't realize other passengers around us if we
are using our smart phones - either playing games, watching movies, chatting, facebooking or
reading documents before meetings/class.

Now, I can tolerate this if they are genuinely unaware. But it ***** me off seeing passengers
pretending asleep or busy using their phones even after they noticed that there's
needy people around them. Sounds familiar?

Well, we do not know what happened in the beginning as it was not captured in the video.
But even if she gave her seat to the 'Ah So' only upon request, she don't deserve the %#%$% thingy.

And Yes, this 'Ah So' is not old enough and should not fall under 'Needy' category.
I don't think she have even reached 55 years old.
Else her 'fire' should have been tuned down after menopause.

For the 'Ah So'....this is for you.
Please learn to "kan errn" when others offer you a seat.
Scolding people off like that is totally a barbarian act and uncivilized.
No matter how unhappy you are, you should just keep it to yourself and seat quietly.
And when you get down the MRT, then do what you do best :
- i.e. go 'sam pat' and tell all your neighbours, friends and relatives on your bad experience in MRT.
But know this - the world is round. You talk bad about people, people will talk bad about you.
Unless you are a saint...which I doubt.
Anyway, no one is perfect.
Next time be gentle and say 'Thank you very much' when others offer you a seat, OK?
If you happened to see that Ah Lian again, remember to say 'Sorry for being extremely rude and childish'.

Last but not least... To Ah Lian and Ah So..... May your path won't crossed again......
Have a wonderful day and God bless....

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 12.43PM

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

(Freshman)

True Blue Singaporean

23 Jun 2012, 12.33AM

Food for thought:

As much as I disagree with ther behaviour of both commuters in the video, there is also a strong need to acknowledge that the society needs to embrace and be more understanding to the elderly. As argued in earlier forum topics, the new media can be a double edged sword that can impact our society greatly. Viewers need to look beyond and try to empathise that stakeholders in the video. While we may be watching a rude old lady demanding for her rights, how many of the viewers may know her real reason for her outbrust? While many support the yound lady in the video, how many viewers may know how this young lady feels to be labelled as an "Ah Lian"?

In my opinion, the young should always give way to the elderly (whether with notice or not). On the other hand, some elderly need to learn to communicate better with the younger generation while they seek others to understand their needs and feelings.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 8.42AM

FACING over 500 people AT THAT TIME. You cannot even get one person to say for our DPM teo. And help our DPM teo to speak up some words.

JUSTICE already say ALL.

You now then barking like a dog see whether your master give you a BONE huh ?

Like this can huh ? Go geylang lah. That one you pay, sure get service.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 9.31AM

This Stinky Brainy Black Heart says,

under the Stinky Brainy own written laws

1) When there is any conflict between 2 parties or groups. The younger and prettier is always RIGHT

2) When there is a conflict, the one who CONTINUES with it even after the other party back down is wrong, so, the old woman is WRONG.

3) What rights the woman has to DEMAND that other gives her the seat? According to the sticker in MRT, the reserved seat is for the following 4 types of commuters

a) Old people with walking stick
b) Woman with BIG stomach
c) commuter with a baby
d) commuter with 1 big swollen right leg. Left leg no count.

the middle-aged woman doesnt fit into any of the 4. so she didn't have the rights to demand the seat.

so, under Stinky Brainy Black Heart's laws of justice. The woman committed 3 offences.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 10.54AM

"The younger and prettier is always RIGHT.....................d) commuter with 1 big swollen right leg.........."

???????????????

Ya.
My center leg also swollen when "younger and prettier" is RIGHT near.................GOT COUNT OR NOT!?

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 11.42AM

you cannot see the sticker meh?

where got show centre leg? so your centre leg swollen NO COUNT.

you bring out your centre swollen leg and show it to other people around you, people may consider GOT COUNT and give you sit.

you have to try your luck.

Guest

23 Jun 2012, 12.35PM

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That's a good one. Joke of the day.

But if one day your "centre leg" really got swollen, you can look for this angry "Ah So" to sit besides you....then it will "de-swollen" your centre leg....maybe make it even smaller than before - permenantly.

Guest

24 Jun 2012, 3.29PM

If swollen, need to cut it off otherwise the heavy is too heavy for you.

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 9.46AM

This a piece of classic local production piece of high quality entertainment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwvNRKqldyk

Anyone heard the 3rd voice saying "... shut up lah?"

This clip reflect our society's stress and unhappiness:

1. It has foreigner element - aunty thought pretty ah-lian was from China. Either genuine or a mockery;
2. Senior is fighting for their rights in the society to be cared for, respected and reserved for;
3. Today newspaper was mentioned. It shows the success of free media?
4. Pretty ah-lian "respect" the aunty at first by giving up the seat, but cannot tolerate "unreasonable mother" type behaviour from the aunty.
5. Smart phone is an "IN" thing in Singapore, Aunty also can operate.
6. Everyone is fighting for space and comfort in the MRT, even the audience, just want some peaceful moment regardless the noisy underground track noises.
7. It's so heart warming to hear someone quarrel using Singlish. It's a success! Old or young generation uses it naturally and professionally.
8. It's an entertainment man! Everyone pretend nothing happen but continue to watch the episode may be thinking... "was it another mediacorpse production?" and if anyone thinks it's real, everyone just was to be a bystander and do nothing (except the kaypo man asking them to "shut-up" but was obviously ignored by the two fighting hen & chick"

Ok, judgement:
Aunty fault : 70% - If I am the ah-lian, I'll also use !$#%!#%! + Hokkien + Teochew + Cantonese + German + Thai language, you got your seat, shut up lah.
Pretty Ah-lian : 30% - Good features and figure, consider becoming K-pop super star? May be improve your make up a little, as the make up makes your eyes BIG BIG, people think you are staring lah. But smile more, very pretty one. Also, next time when aunty wants to take your picture, just pose for it! People will think the aunty "siow" and will never believe her words if she says you are rude...

Support local production!

Guest

21 Jun 2012, 10.38AM

How the youth sees it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtG93QBdRrw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgmBUFTH07w&feature=related