Some important points to remember
Point 1.
Just the other Friday, I was on my way to meet an old friend for dinner.
I was walking up the steps of Tanjong Pagar MRT station, heading towads Tras Street, when the lady who was at the top of the stairs, coming down towards me, slipped and fell down about half a dozen steps.
As I dashed towards her to lend her a hand, I was quite interested to notice that 5 people who were nearer to her immeditalty went to help her. By the time I reached her, they had not only comforted her and began checking her for damages, but had also begun collecting her spilled groceries.
I have to admit that it's a bit of an unusual sight for me, as I'm unfortunately more used to the 'Me First' Singaporean than the 'civic-minded' Singaporean. Sad to say, an accident like this doesn't usually gather such as large response in Singapore. For the most part, people will just stop and stare, as if unsure if they should lend aid, while a few, more deceisive people will act promptly.
That's more typical of Singaporean behaviour. The 'I only care for myself' attitude that you witness everyday, when Singaporeans will push their way into subway-trains without waiting for the passengers to disembark first, push their way into lifts, and pretend not to notice when a firal old lady is left standing on a crowded train or bus.
This behaviour sucks.
Point 2.
Speaking of which. On my way home, I often see this gentleman sitting on the bench in front of Raffles Hotel, on the Bras Basah Bus-stop side. He's had a leg amputated in a car accident, and spends most of his time just sitting there and watching people and traffic past. After a few weeks, I told myself that I was being idiotic to ignore the poor fellow, and as much as possible, I try to spend a little time conversing with him while waiting for my bus.
It's really such a small thing for me to do, like I have anything else better to do than show a little human kindness to him, yet I can see that he enjoys our little talks immensely, even though I hardly understand his Hokkienn.
I'm not proud that I talk to him. I'm actually ashamed that I didn't do so earlier, and that most people seem to ignore him.
So if you read this blog, and you're around that bus stop and he's there, spare a few minutes of your time and show a little kindness to a fellow human.
A little kindness is worth almost nothing to you, but it may be worth a lot to a lonely person.
Just the other Friday, I was on my way to meet an old friend for dinner.
I was walking up the steps of Tanjong Pagar MRT station, heading towads Tras Street, when the lady who was at the top of the stairs, coming down towards me, slipped and fell down about half a dozen steps.
As I dashed towards her to lend her a hand, I was quite interested to notice that 5 people who were nearer to her immeditalty went to help her. By the time I reached her, they had not only comforted her and began checking her for damages, but had also begun collecting her spilled groceries.
I have to admit that it's a bit of an unusual sight for me, as I'm unfortunately more used to the 'Me First' Singaporean than the 'civic-minded' Singaporean. Sad to say, an accident like this doesn't usually gather such as large response in Singapore. For the most part, people will just stop and stare, as if unsure if they should lend aid, while a few, more deceisive people will act promptly.
That's more typical of Singaporean behaviour. The 'I only care for myself' attitude that you witness everyday, when Singaporeans will push their way into subway-trains without waiting for the passengers to disembark first, push their way into lifts, and pretend not to notice when a firal old lady is left standing on a crowded train or bus.
This behaviour sucks.
Point 2.
Speaking of which. On my way home, I often see this gentleman sitting on the bench in front of Raffles Hotel, on the Bras Basah Bus-stop side. He's had a leg amputated in a car accident, and spends most of his time just sitting there and watching people and traffic past. After a few weeks, I told myself that I was being idiotic to ignore the poor fellow, and as much as possible, I try to spend a little time conversing with him while waiting for my bus.
It's really such a small thing for me to do, like I have anything else better to do than show a little human kindness to him, yet I can see that he enjoys our little talks immensely, even though I hardly understand his Hokkienn.
I'm not proud that I talk to him. I'm actually ashamed that I didn't do so earlier, and that most people seem to ignore him.
So if you read this blog, and you're around that bus stop and he's there, spare a few minutes of your time and show a little kindness to a fellow human.
A little kindness is worth almost nothing to you, but it may be worth a lot to a lonely person.
posted by shawncentric at 12:05 am
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