A picture of a yesteryear gone by….
There used to be a time when people would walk down the street and say hello to someone they pass by, whether it be someone they know or some random person. If you do that today, you would probably think the person was crazy for doing that. If a elderly, crippled, or pregnant person were to board a bus or a train you would see people already sitting immediately stand up and offer their seat to the person. Sadly, this is not the world that we live in now. Where people would pretend to sleep, put a newspaper up to their face to not see the person, talk on a cell phone, etc., just to stay in their seat. This seems to be happening all over the world, including Japan. Japan, known for it’s strict code of respect in society seems to be falling apart as years go by and new generations are brought forth.
I’m not saying Japan is becoming rude, but it’s a bit sad where a country that prides itself on its politeness has come to a point where people are being hired to tell people to get up for the elderly, crippled, pregnant. Later this month, the Yokohama train line in Japan will have “manner police” to get people to stand up for those who need the seat. Although they have no authority like the police that work for the goverment, they have been trained in the art of “politeness” to get people to stand up without the use of force. If the person who is asked to move looks like they might get physical, their is a bodyguard to defend the manner police. Which is actually a good considering every person on the squad is over the age of 60. “I want to put all my life experience to good use,” says one of the manner police. Via Mainichi Daily News.
(Sigh), it sounds like a wonderful idea and I hope it works but a part of me doubts it. I believe people who don’t get up for others who need a seat on the train most likely have that set on “automatic,” as in even if they are initially made to move they won’t do it again unless they are forced to. But I know there are good people out there that still get up from their seat and offer it to those who need it, I see it locally with the buses in my area. How is the situation for transportation for the elderly, crippled, or pregnant in your area?
This is indeed sad. I dont randomly greet people but i do agree that one needs to accomodate to the best of their abilities the elder, the pregnant and the crippled.
Locally, i guess it is quite bad as i rarely see anyone get up for the people stated above. I however, make it a point to do so when needed.
Setsuna-san’s last blog post..SONY PSP COSPLAY: The Force is STRONG with this event.
Word. That’s a pretty terrible thing to hear; as society degenerates people begin to lack the ability to properly empathise with others and to exhibit a reasonable standard of courtesy.
As for around my area? I wish I knew, but I don’t leave my house often enough unfortunately (I’m a huge nerd).
Espydon’s last blog post..no moar clannad
Yeah I know exactly what you’re referring to. People are becoming less and less trusting =(. Nowdays, sometimes when I go jog in the morning, and a stranger says hi, I’m like really surprised.
M12’s last blog post..Back in the days
Well, believe it or not? theres not much transportation in my place since the population is low. But i get what you mean. The world is changing. =S People are changing too but theres still some nice people out there. Same like Setsuna, offer a seat to someone else when needed.
Choo’s last blog post..Harajuku
This is so true and very apparent here in the UK, I personally don’t seem to fall into this category of people who ignore people when you should give up your seat or something similar, but that’s probably all the years of private school.
Asch’s last blog post..Canon Rock
It’s not because people are more rude. These days people are conditioned to not get involved with other people. People are very protective of their private space, so people respect that space by ignoring each other.
super rats’s last blog post..Pretty Slayer Akatsuki Mishiro
Societies have become sad with time… When you see a random elder it is not his/her past that is generally considered, but the fact that he/she is aged. The same would go with everything.
True courtesy (not the obligatory one you are dealt with when with your usual store clerk) is something that becomes rare nowadays… I do my best to help people like Setsuna-san and Choo said before me. I also will work as a volunteer in a non-governmental association (dedicated to the very elderly) this Spring and Summer, and this not only for my CV and experience, but also because I want to contribute to the society in the most honest way.
This is also why I have chosen my domain of studies, which is Social Work (I never could or would work in a different one).
And by the way… Sorry in advance, but you’re not being politically correct enough. General society euphemism says that you should not call them “crippled” but “physically challenged”. I know, it’s more or less major BS, but hey. ^^;
@Setsuna-san, Choo, & D_Blade: Thank you for your work ^^, I’m glad to hear that people out there are still doing the right thing by giving up their seat.
@Espydon: True, I wouldn’t go out as much as I do if I didn’t have to lol.
@M12: It really is surprising isn’t it?
@Asch: That’s good ^^.
@super rats: Quite sad that it has come to that and I believe it will only get worst.
I don’t think the manner “police” is an excellent idea though.
I recall watching a video of what i believe to be civil activists? policing the streets of shibuya. Mostly telling youngsters to quit loitering, standing on the streets, etc. It quickly degenerated into a shouting match with both sides hurling verbal abuses. Not pretty. Uncomfortable for the bystanders too i think.