Dead poet society

Do you have faith in the community? Do you take comfort in knowing that you can count on your neighbours? And do you walk around on the streets feeling safe and secure?

We are a weird community. I think globalisation and individualism have taken priority in our lives. We tend to put ourselves first, and then, if we feel like it, we will tend to others. Maybe that is the way to survive, in this uncertain and troubled world.

How many of you have been in a packed bus or LRT, and noticing perfectly healthy people sitting on the seats allocated for the senior citizens, physically challenged and mothers-to-be? And when an old lady stepped into the LRT, and stood next to the person, instead of offering her his seat, he just pretended that he didn't notice the lady. And you know what was going on in his mind?

"I got here first, so it's my seat".
"It's embarrassing to offer the lady my seat, She might say no, and I don't handle rejection well".
"I just don't care".

Of course, once in a while, you'll find someone polite enough to do the opposite. But out of 10, I think 8 would stay seated.

Then there are the ever so often traffic jam. Traffic congestion is everywhere, all the time. Sometimes, there aren't any valid reasons for this. You crawl along for over an hour, and once you reached a particular point, the road suddenly clears. Actually, the main reason for this could be because inconsiderate drivers kept changing lanes, and using the emergency lanes. Also, some drivers just like to switch lanes at the very last minute as they reach their exit. You know your exit is coming up ahead, be considerate and stick to the left lane, instead of cutting through left and right. I think that will greatly ease the traffic congestion.

There are also accidents that cause such a bad congestion. The worst part is, even after the cars involved have been moved, drivers still slowed down to gawk at the aftermath. Then there are the curious onlookers who just had to stop their vehicles at the roadside just to poke their noses around, thus causing more congestion. Okay, so you thought you could help. Well, unless you're a doctor, or you have to happen to keep a chainsaw in the trunk of your car, then you can help. If not, move along please. Of course, if you were the first one to arrive at the scene of the accident, then that's another story.

But you know, the worst of the lot, are the ones who just stared and do nothing when a crime happened directly in front of them. If you saw someone shoplifting in a supermarket, do you find it as your duty to apprehend the thief, or do you report the thief to the security guard? Or do you just mind your own business, since it wasn't your problem to begin with? Let the authority deal with it, and if the thief got away, so be it. It won't bother you at all.

How about if a snatch theft happened near you? The victim screamed for help, and you just stared at her, take a glance at the thief, and go on with your life? Is that what you'll do? Or do you give chase to the thief, knowing that you're risking your life in the process? But hey, it's not like you get to be a hero everyday, right?

It all comes down to attitude. And respect. When you respect each other, you will respect their spaces and their rights. If you have good attitudes, you won't be doing things that you do not want others to do onto you. And you help each other. We need to help each other. Surviving is not about survival of the fittest.

We can make the world a better place. But it all has to start with you.