A Man Who Stands Out

So much of bus woes.....but heh, i missed out mentioning a man who stood out. An Indian! (blah, i dont mean the skin colour)

Went up this crowded 171 from town. It was really packed. Bus driver shouting to people to move in. Saw this indian man seated just before the rear door exit, signalling another man to move in. The chinese man didnt move. He just stood there. After much nagging, he moved to the rear door. Anyhow, i didnt really think much of this and continued to move inch by inch at every stop. Finally, had the opportunity to move to the rear and sat down.

One stop before mine, i turned to study the aisle for feasibility to move out. Then i saw this indian man standing. Hmmm, he must have given up his seat to someone needy. Commendable act. I inched my way to the exit door but was blocked by him. So i stood there and waited till the bus almost came to a stop and said "excuse me". He heard and promptly moved aside. This is normal, right? But what he did next was not. He said sorry to me after i passed him. He looked at me to say it like he meant every word. And he said it with a nice warm smile and a sparkle in the eye. Heh, i am not blind to mistake teeth for eye. It was this genuine warm gesture that you cannot find fault in lah.

What was he carrying? Just a bag over his shoulder. No big bulky objects that you need to say sorry for blocking. And so, there are kind people out there just that we dont notice them too readily than the ungracious ones.

Need to mention long time ago while driving on Singapore roads (rac & iz were still pretty young & probably wont remember), noticed a broken down car by the side of the road. Nothing new, i thought to myself. BUT the driver, together with his son standing next to him, were bowing to every car that passed by. What were they doing? Apologizing with no words. Wow......they bowed at a rate of 2 seconds each and i couldnt help but deduce these were gracious Japanese. They didnt have to. Their broken down car was by the shoulder, didnt block the road nor inconvenienced road users. It was very humbling of them and it was a sight that made my day and brought warm thoughts.....till today.

Erh, the next time i come to church with a face mask (for flu), please dont laugh at me coz this is part of a gracious society too! Learn from the Japanese........arigatogosatmasu!