I WOULD like to share my pleasant encounter on the public transport during a trip to Guangzhou, China.

My husband, who is almost 60 years old, is still fit and healthy. So we were pleasantly surprised when children and teenagers offered their seats to him - one of them was only about eight years old.

Now, my husband had never been offered a seat on the MRT train in Singapore.

But in China, those seated far away would even get someone to guard the seats so that they could approach us to offer them. On another occasion, a woman chided her boyfriend to offer his seat.

We were very touched by their behaviour, unlike in Singapore, where young, abled men and women jostle with the elderly and less abled for seats on the train.

In Japan, commuters would not occupy a seat reserved for the elderly or those who need it.

I believe it is a matter of upbringing and education on basic courtesy.

One should give up his or her seat readily to someone who needs it - without being asked.

Ms Anna Khoo Eng Neo

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