Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Self-consciousness

On a shopping trip with mum,we saw a lady trying to look for a seat on the MRT.
She looks well on the outside, but she keeps shifting her stance as if her legs are tired.
Nobody was taking notice of this.
Whenever there is an empty seat, she will try to move there as soon as possible after a slight hesitation. However, others nearby were too fast for her.
I whispered to my mum. "Why did she hesitate? She could have gotten the seat if not for her hesitation."
My mum with her words of wisdom shed some light into this. "Well, she might be feeling self-consciousness."
I was surprised at her comment.
We continued our discussion on this.
Me:
"Well, if she has a valid reason like her legs are weak and she desperately need rest, she can take the seat without any self-consciousness or how others view her. Afterall, she is the only one to take care of her own health."

Mum:
"You must know this. People will gossip about their behaviour right in front of them. It would not be nice, isnt it? Moreover, you dunno if anyone will blog this on the Internet or take picture and post them online calling her a seat grabber. Afterall, she looks find on the exterior."

Me:
"Well, she has a problem and she is the only one to know. There is no need to publisize and announce to everyone in the cabin that 'hey I have a weak knee and I need a seat.' She should know her own health. It is better to get a seat and have everyone's tongue wagging than to fell down and suffer injuries. As long as your conscience is clear, there is no need to tell anyone."

Mum:
"Things dun happen this way. People will think you are selfish and not civic-minded."

I was loss for words. Apparently, the loss of FACE is more important than health.
But on a another level, the impact of technology on people is tremendous yet again.
Even aunties are wary of the technology and do self-censorship on their actions and behaviours so that their photos wont end up in the YOUTUBE or STOMP.
Scary isnt it.

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