SINGAPORE: With her Minion-like physique, snazzy purple outfit, round cherry-red spectacles, jaunty flower in her hair and a smile on her face, most of us would have met Stacey – or as she’s more commonly known, Stand-Up Stacey.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) cartoon mascot is a common sight in MRT carriages, on huge stickers right behind the priority seats that read: “Show you care. Offer this seat”. Yet, poor Stand-Up Stacey and commuters recently had the misfortune to witness two men verbally abuse each other, ostensibly over priority seats.
A video circulating on social media showed an older man berating a younger man seated in the priority seat, using phrases such as “you not Singaporean” and “stupid guy”. The younger man responded with a volley of insults, pointing out that giving up his seat is “not in the Constitution. It’s not the law”.
Have priority seats, intended to nudge the best in us, somehow brought out the worst in us?
Netizens had plenty to say about this incident – on both sides. Some advocated showing graciousness by offering seats to older people without waiting to be asked, especially as priority seats are designated near the doors for convenience. Others pointed out that young commuters also paid their fare and could be tired from working the whole day.
A few took issue with the needlessly aggressive tone of both parties. One even made ableist comments about not taking public transport if one cannot stand, completely missing the point that a well-designed public transport system is supposed to be affordable, accessible and inclusive.