When someone prepares to leave his seat on a packed bus, when would be the appropriate time for his fellow travellers to make a move for his newly vacated spot? The answer to this question is especially pertinent for those who have chosen to eschew privately owned means for their daily commute. The day’s long grind is brutal enough on the knees without having to play the coy mind games for the small chance of a respite.
I found myself in such a conundrum yesterday in which standing in a bus midway between Office and Home, the guy in front of me rose from his seat. Characteristically vigilant about my chances to rest my weary behind, I slung my rucksack to cover my torso and lunged forward, and effectively exerting an extra push for his departure. It was only when I saw the snigger of two brightly dressed Indian chaps who sat opposite me did the lack of grace of my manoeuvre hit home.
The burning embarrassment was less about being the kiasu laughing stock of the trip, sting though it did, but more the annoyance I may have caused the guy whose seat I so coveted.
So I am now contemplating a policy of not being a seat vulture, given how unbecoming it is for someone of my age and state of health. Now it is only left for me to see how, or if, it holds.
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