Daily Lessons from Life 29-30 May 2013 - Brave Cyclists and Man Spits at Elderly

"Cyclists stop hit-and-run driver who left 2 hurt at crash scene - The Straits Times May 30, 2013" Good to learn that the cyclists chased the suspected 'driving under the influence of alcohol' ("DUI") for more than 1.5km after the suspect had crashed into a motorbike injuring the rider and the pillion rider and left the scene without stopping! It was brave and very civil-minded of this group of bicycle riders who, for some, were courting dangers themselves when riding on the heavy traffic roads. And in this case, confronting a suspected drunk driver at the red traffic light. The key is they were not alone and with backup, it is safer to approach hit-and-run car driver. As long as the intervention is not putting the good Samaritan(s) in danger, it is a noble act always. "Man spits at elderly commuter over MRT priority seat - AsiaOne May 29, 2013 A man was caught on camera spitting and hurling vulgarities at an elderly commuter over an MRT priority seat. In the video, the two men engaged in a shouting match, then one of them spat three times at the other. The video is now being shared on the Internet. According to The New Paper, the incident happened on April 11 at around 3pm. It was filmed by a 20-year-old national serviceman, who was sitting next to a priority seat when an elderly man boarded the train at Kranji MRT station. The national serviceman gave up his seat to the elderly man, who refused the seat and asked for a man sitting in the priority seat to give up his seat instead. The younger man sitting in the priority seat got offended after the elderly man kept insisting on the priority seat. According to The New Paper, a lawyer said spitting at someone can be considered a form of assault." Not sure what come over that 'younger man' who shouted and spat at the elderly passenger who insisted that he wants to sit in the 'Priority Seat' instead of the normal seat gave up by the NS man?! Though the elderly man could have just taken the 'normal seat' given up by the NS man, there is totally no reason for the younger man to went out of control. It is funny that the younger man supposedly asked others to film the incident and upload to YouTube. What was he thinking? Anyway, like I wrote the day before, this is akin to a 'road rage'. When the 'raging person' is out of control and in an emotional high, NOTHING rational will work. In this case, the 'shouting' match went on and the 'younger man' went totally 'mad'. I hope when all these died down, the 'younger man' can reflect and have a laugh at his silliness and repent. May he keep calm and give up the 'Priority Seat', or better still, NOT sit on a 'Priority Seat', next time. In Taiwan, some observers said the commuters DO NOT sit on 'Priority Seat' even when the train is crowded. I guess Singaporeans or residents in Singapore are far from the Taiwanese standard still! A spice of life? As for the elderly passenger, may be some reflection as well? Harder as he definitely felt he has EVERY RIGHT to insist on sitting at the 'Priority Seat'. Yet, is it worth it for him to suffer such treatment when he could have the 'Normal Seat' given up by the NS man? Finally, could this scence had been staged? Ok. I should not be paranoid!!