Time: 8:43 am
Day: Wednesday
Mood: Patriotic, ready for argument (due to big breakfast)
Situation: The MRT is crowded. 6 strapping young men occupy the whole row of train seats; 5 women are holding on to the handrails in front of them, me included.
Big Deal: one woman is pregnant.
Assessment: “There’s something wrong with this picture.”
Plan of Action: Striking conversation with fellow passengers in an attempt to correct all wrongs.
Me to yuppie woman on my right: (in a subtle yet audible voice for the men to hear) “Isn’t there something wrong with this picture?” *looks at the men, then to the pregnant woman at my left, then at the men once again*
Yuppie Woman: (picking up my train of thought) “There certainly is.” *looks pointedly at the men sitting.
The 6 Men: (shifting uncomfortably in their seats but trying to look suave)
Me: “I mean, I wouldn’t care myself, but there is such a thing as ‘common courtesy’.”
Pregnant Woman: *listens curiously to our conversation*
The 6 Men: one looks at fellow passenger, who shrugs in return. Another still trying to look suave. Another promptly yawns and pretends to fall asleep.
Yuppie Woman: “I know! I believe in equality, but this is ridiculous.”
Me: “Chivalry is dead.” (pausing for the weight of my words to sink in, process and hopefully be acted upon)
Pregnant woman: looks at me and Yuppie Woman, then blinks at the men who are now blinking up at her.
Victory: One of the men finally realises what he should do. One man stands up and offers his seat to the pregnant woman. Pregnant woman thinks, then hesitantly sits down. Yuppie Woman smiles at me. I smile back at Yuppie Woman. We both smile at Pregnant woman. Pregnant Woman smiles back at us hesitantly.
Ego Deflater: Pregnant Woman: “I’m not pregnant.”
Needless to say, that was the LONGEST train ride me and Yuppie Woman had ever taken.
The Moral of the Story: Men must realise that in a world where we scream for equality, there is still a need for Chivalry, though we don’t admit it. Yet it is not a do-or-die situation: We’ve adapted and accepted, but it can be compared to Jurassic Park: Extinction is accepted, but when dinosaurs are revived, it’s a good topic of conversation.
The Underlying Truth: Chivalry is okay once in a while. Remember that Jurassic Park 2 was not eagerly embraced by the public, and a total of five people in the universe watched Jurassic Park 3. And only 2 thought it was a really good movie (namely, the producer and co-producer).
Facts for Commuters: Non-pregnant women wear clothes for pregnant women for REASONS OTHER THAN PREGNANCY. Learn to distinguish so as to be more politically correct, and for you to descend the train with your pride intact.
Conclusion: You will truly never be able to please everyone you meet in life.
