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Girl refuses to give up seat to old woman, even after being asked repeatedly
A STOMPer repeatedly asked a young girl to give up her seat to an elderly woman while they were travelling on a crowded train, but the woman refused to budge and even argued with the STOMPer.
The STOMPer said in an email to STOMP yesterday (May 18):
"I boarded the North-South bound train from Dhoby Ghaut at around 5.40pm to head home (Sembawang).
"The train was packed and there was an old lady who had to stand in a corner. The reserved seat was taken by a big man but he looked a bit aged, weak and with an umbrella, so I deem he really needed the seat.
"So I turned to the young lady, who looked barely 20 (let's call her YL), next to the man.
"I politely requested for the YL to give up her seat to the elderly woman, not once but twice. Sadly, YL looked rather reluctant and ignored me. Given no choice, I took out my mobile and took pictures of her and the old lady, and announced openly and publicly that I was going to post this on STOMP.
"YL remained seated and instead, took out her mobile and started taking pictures of me.
"Here was the conversation:
"Me: Why are you taking my pictures?
"YL: You took my pictures first and threatened me.
"Me: How did I threaten you? I did nothing wrong. Was I wrong to request you to give up your seat to someone so old? How old are you?
"YL: There are so many people here, why you target me?
"Me: I didn't. This old lady is here and she needs a seat near the side pole for support. The man here is also old and he seemed a little weak, that's why I asked you. Ok, you don't want to give up the seat, go ahead and take my picture. Better still, we take pictures of each other and it will prove that you were INDEED the one who refused to give up seat to this elderly woman.
"(YL remained seated, looking angry and was still unwilling to give up her seat. Then I turned to old lady asking for her destination. She was heading to AMK.)
"YL: I purposely travelled to the first stop to get myself a seat. Why should I give it up?
"Me: Ok then, can you just let the old lady have this seat up to AMk and you can take back your seat?
"YL remained seated, looked even more reluctant and agitated.
"This commotion did not end until the man with the umbrella alighted at Novena, and the old lady finally got a seat.
"This young lady sounded local when I spoke to her in English.
"Where is Singapore's kindness? Isn't it sad to have this type of inconsiderate young people despite all the kindness education Singapore has been promoting?
"What if it was a pregnant lady instead of an old lady? Would the young lady insist on not giving up her seat?"

A STOMPer repeatedly asked a young girl to give up her seat to an elderly woman while they were travelling on a crowded train, but the woman refused to budge and even argued with the STOMPer.
The STOMPer said in an email to STOMP yesterday (May 18):
"I boarded the North-South bound train from Dhoby Ghaut at around 5.40pm to head home (Sembawang).
"The train was packed and there was an old lady who had to stand in a corner. The reserved seat was taken by a big man but he looked a bit aged, weak and with an umbrella, so I deem he really needed the seat.
"So I turned to the young lady, who looked barely 20 (let's call her YL), next to the man.
"I politely requested for the YL to give up her seat to the elderly woman, not once but twice. Sadly, YL looked rather reluctant and ignored me. Given no choice, I took out my mobile and took pictures of her and the old lady, and announced openly and publicly that I was going to post this on STOMP.
"YL remained seated and instead, took out her mobile and started taking pictures of me.
"Here was the conversation:
"Me: Why are you taking my pictures?
"YL: You took my pictures first and threatened me.
"Me: How did I threaten you? I did nothing wrong. Was I wrong to request you to give up your seat to someone so old? How old are you?
"YL: There are so many people here, why you target me?
"Me: I didn't. This old lady is here and she needs a seat near the side pole for support. The man here is also old and he seemed a little weak, that's why I asked you. Ok, you don't want to give up the seat, go ahead and take my picture. Better still, we take pictures of each other and it will prove that you were INDEED the one who refused to give up seat to this elderly woman.
"(YL remained seated, looking angry and was still unwilling to give up her seat. Then I turned to old lady asking for her destination. She was heading to AMK.)
"YL: I purposely travelled to the first stop to get myself a seat. Why should I give it up?
"Me: Ok then, can you just let the old lady have this seat up to AMk and you can take back your seat?
"YL remained seated, looked even more reluctant and agitated.
"This commotion did not end until the man with the umbrella alighted at Novena, and the old lady finally got a seat.
"This young lady sounded local when I spoke to her in English.
"Where is Singapore's kindness? Isn't it sad to have this type of inconsiderate young people despite all the kindness education Singapore has been promoting?
"What if it was a pregnant lady instead of an old lady? Would the young lady insist on not giving up her seat?"