Gesture of Goodwill = Obligation?

Seriously, I am pissed. 

Very, very pissed.

Yes - with SOME elderly/senior citizens/old people, or whatever you call them.

Before you start pointing your finger and making accusations that I am one ignorant youngster, please do read on what I have to say.

I never thought I would be blogging about this, but I guess it's the final straw when I experienced for myself how SOME senior citizens are taking KINDNESS for granted.

It all began when I was taking my usual train to work this morning; but I was quite desperate for a seat this time as I was feeling sick (I believe my pale face could definitely tell).

All I had hoped for was to take a short nap during my 20 minutes train journey - but it was not until I got signaled out by an auntie (she isn't reeealllly that old).

Showing me her senior citizen ez-link card as though it was some emperor card (*rolls eyes*), she went (in mandarin) "Young girl, can I have the seat because elderly like me will experience leg pain?" ( NOTE: SHE SOUNDED MUCH MORE RUDE THAN THIS IN REALITY)

Yes, I appreciate that she has at least the courtesy to ask. But seriously, she sounded like I was OBLIGATED to give up my seat to her.

Well, I did - despite the fact that I was not feeling well. I immediately stood up and she shamelessly took the seat - BUT THAT WAS NOT THE END.

When it was her stop to alight, she suddenly tapped me on my shoulder and told me to have the seat back with a REALLY black face. I smiled in return and said it was alright since I was alighting as well.  

**IT WAS THEN THAT I OVERHEARD HER TELLING ANOTHER PASSENGER TO SIT BECAUSE THEY ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, etc etc.** (It was like she was hinting to everyone that the Priority seats are MEANT for senior citizens like her. Apparently, she said it loud enough for surrounding passengers to hear and was indirectly targeting me)

Hello - let's make this clear. Being a senior citizen does not mean that you are DESERVING of the Priority seat. 

A Priority seat, basically, is a seat that is offered out of goodwill or for people whom one may think need it more. 

Gone were the days when people are giving up their seats out of PURE goodwill and sincerity.

Truth to be told, ALL of us are paying for the same amount of transport fares. It doesn't mean that I HAVE, I MUST, I SHOULD give up my seat to you just because I think that you are a "senior citizen".

So what if you are older than me? Do you bother to earn your respect? Does being a senior citizen mean that you are some special mortal that has higher powers above all?

I would say that many senior citizens/elderly/old people are pretty much SPOILT.

Probably they were given in so much that they now think that they are of "higher authority" - and have the rights to throw a tantrum should they not be offered what they THINK they deserve.

Please. Don't TAKE the kindness of others for granted.

If you are being offered something out of goodwill, be APPRECIATIVE of the privilege - and not to think that you DESERVE it. 

Of course, I always respect the elderly. I would still give up my seat if I THINK you are worthy of it.

BUT NOT ALL.

Earn your respect FIRST. Period.

Travel Agency 5 Stars Tours is gone??!

So I heard about the news of the closure of 5 Stars Tours the other day and was in utter shock.

Not that I was affected; but I seriously feel for the people who have made their ticket purchases. Imagine the amount of people who are looking forward to returning to their homeland during the Chinese New Year period!

It's just... disheartening. They must be feeling so stranded and helpless now.

5 Stars Tours was quite a reputable travel agency; and it was unexpected that it had resulted to this stage. I am sure many are disappointed with their way of handling the situation - it's just plain irresponsibility! 

(Now... I am skeptical of travel agencies... NOT even reputable ones!!)

As below is an updated article on Yahoo:

"Its shock closure could not have come at a worse time.

Potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of travellers have been left in the lurch after popular coach and travel agency Five Stars Tour abruptly closed all eight of its branches across Singapore on Wednesday. 

In its latest statement as of 5pm on Thursday, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) said it has received over 250 complaints -- 203 by phone, 37 walk-in and 17 online -- complaints against the tour agency, mostly due to its failure to honour terms of the agreement.  

News of the travel agency's closure was first reported by Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao. In its report, it said Five Stars Tour had applied for a liquidation notice with the police.  

When this reporter visited its main branch at People's Park Complex on Thursday morning, a notice at its entrance read that the agency "has closed for business and stop providing services with immediate effect. We will be returning all passports to customers through registered article in the next few days".

It also said customers with unfulfilled trips can make claims through travel insurance or file claims through the Small Claims Tribunal or CASE.

A customer, who only wants to be known as Ms Chua, went to check out the head office at People's Park Complex.

The 30-year-old housewife said she had paid Five Stars Tours S$2476 just earlier this week for a trip to Beijing for two people.

She had gone on two tours organised by Five Stars Tours previously, and had a good impression of the company, she said.

When she heard that the company had shut its doors suddenly, she checked the receipt issued by Five Stars Tours, and realised that the staff who sold her the package and handled the paperwork for her did not sign on the document.

Worried, she tried to call the different branches, and eventually made a police report when she could not get a satisfactory response.

She recounted: "I wanted to pay by credit card, but the staff told me they only accepted cash as it was a special promotional package. I didn’t think much of it then, but I feel so stupid now.”

Despite Chinese New Year being just around the corner, the travel agency that employed over 200 staff gave no advance notice or warning before shutting down.  

Many Malaysians who reside in Singapore typically book their bus tickets through Five Stars, known for its luxury coach services to several destinations in Malaysia. Besides Malaysia, it also offers group and free and easy tours to locations across America, Australia, Asia and Southeast Asia. 

Malaysian Leong Khoon An, who works as an electrician in Singapore, told Yahoo Singapore he had bought return bus tickets to Malacca for the coming Monday.

When the 31-year-old heard the news of the agency abruptly closing its doors, he was “taken aback”and felt “cheated”, he said in Mandarin.

“I’ve been a loyal customer, buying my bus tickets from Five Star for at least the past five years. Now they just up and close without refunding us, or even informing us,” he said.

The return ticket cost him about S$100, and to purchase a replacement at this point in time would be even more expensive and troublesome,he added.

Another Five Stars Tour customer, Yvette Xu, 23, had bought a pair of tickets to Genting Highlands.

The university student, who made the purchase only a few weeks ago, said: “If the company knew they were in trouble, yet continued selling tickets and packages to customers, they are really irresponsible.”

She said she will lodge a report with CASE."

[Going Viral] True Love?

So I came across a viral post on Facebook that sparked anger amongst many netizens. (Yes, me included- hence this blog post)

When I first read the post content, the first thought that came to my mind was...

"Is this woman for real?!"

Seriously, this is one of the most superficial chunk of text I have ever read - something that is definitely uncalled for.

If attention is what she wanted, she has certainly got it.

Yes, she may have the freedom to post whatever she likes since it IS her Facebook account afterall - but  she doesn't have ANY rights to comment on her friend and portray her in such a negative manner. (What business is it of hers that her friend is leading such a life? Come on, Heather Chua, you are NOT the one accountable for with regards to your friend's life. I believe she will appreciate it better if you keep your opinions to yourself)

Guess what? As much as you are "disappointed" to learn of your friend's love life (that has nothing to do with you to begin with), I suppose she will be way more disappointed in the way you express your views as "HER CLOSE FRIENDS OF 27 YEARS".  (Oh, not to mention that she might be disappointed to have you as her friend. Poor thing - she must be feeling so ashamed right now. Boo-hoo.)

Say WH-AAAT? CLOSE friend?

27 YEARS?

Come, I clap for you.

Seriously? Does a *CLOSE* friend paint her friend in such a bad light - so much that it's humiliating?

This is way too much.

By giving such opinions, I suppose this "Heather Chua" is born with a silver spoon in her mouth, either that, or she made herself sound like some wealthy kid.

Talk about Materialism.

Here's an abstract of her Facebook post that I found ridiculous to a large extent:

"She holds a MBA from Cornell & owns a retail company & drives a Subaru Legacy. He on the other hand, has only an ITE certificate & currently working in a local technology company as a normal worker doing those clerical work, not even anywhere close to being a manager. And on top of that, he only own a Toyota Vios(the cheapest of all Japanese cars in Singapore). What kind of women will go with a man like him? "

Well, my dear Heather Chua, I assume you must have lived your life being ignorant of what true love is all about. Either that, or you are someone who is deprived of such love.

Similarly, I am a woman myself but I would very much beg to differ. 

To me, wealth is NEVER a factor of love. If one sincerely loves another person, wealth is an easily dismissed subject.

As long as the guy is financially OK (It is not as though he is allowing his family to sleep on the streets and surviving on leftover food), I don't see ANY issue here.

On top of that, couples who sincerely love each other do not owe others anything - not even the closest friend. As long as both of them are happy with their life, what has it got to do with bystanders like you? 

Furthermore, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having only an ITE certificate and working as a normal worker. At the very least, he is living his life in contentment and have what YOU don't - which is the truest love he deserves from his wife.

Does his happiness concern you and your well being?

No.

Does his love life involve you?

No.

Is his wife complaining?

No.

Then...

WHO ARE YOU TO COMPLAIN?!

So what if someone has an university certificate and live in big houses? Personally, those are only "extra toppings" and definitely not to be taken as part of the necessary requirements that one should look for in a potential boyfriend.

Granted that different individual has different perspectives; and I even have had male friends telling me that it is difficult to find girls nowadays who can accept a guy who is not financially capable.

To some, they may think that such girls do not exist anymore.

I am not trying to be thick-skinned here, but at least... ... I am proud to say that I am one of them.

To me, it all boils down to sincerity and character. I will choose LOVE over money anytime. In fact, I don't see money or anything materialistic as a significant issue. Love and wealth shouldn't be tied together in the first place. You think this is a bundle, huh?

 I have always had this mentality way before I have my first boyfriend, and it still remains the same till now. In fact, rich guys are never my cup of tea.

Speaking from my perspective as a girl:

• I don't require big diamonds. 
• I don't require need big houses.
• I don't require my guy to be good-looking or rich in any way.
• I don't require my guy to have *SUPER HIGH* qualification when certificates are mostly only classified as a piece of paper for survival in society.
• I don't require my other half to have a car.

What I need is just love in its purest form - in whichever way he expresses it. (Of course, I do not mean violence or sex)

Just simple, pure love.

Granted that it may be just a simple dinner at hawker centers or shopping at pasar malams - those are enough to make me a happy girl. Anything that he goes the extra mile for, I considered them as a bonus which I am most thankful for. :)

Heather Chua, you may be a pretty face (judging from your profile picture), but your mentality and personality have spoken.

Given your perspective, I believe guys who are willing to be with you will not be out of true love - but only your looks.

As materialistic as you are, your other half will be just as superficial.

Good luck with your life.