Introduction

SINGAPORE: A recent incident on public transport has ignited a fierce discussion about the treatment of National Service men (NSmen) in Singapore. A commuter took to social media to express his outrage over the disrespect an NSman faced while simply riding the bus.

Incident Description

The storyteller recounted the moment he witnessed an elderly man in a wheelchair needing assistance to disembark. As the bus captain worked to lower the ramp—a standard operating procedure—this uncle abruptly pointed to an NSman, expecting him to manage the task 'just because he was in uniform.'

According to the commuter, the NSman clearly communicated that he was unable to help, yet the rude response from the uncle was shocking. 'By the time the bus captain finished, the uncle yelled and gave the NSman the middle finger before departing,' the commuter wrote, questioning why NSmen receive such treatment, particularly from older members of the community.

Cultural Contrast

The post raised eyebrows, especially given the contrast with countries like the United States, where military personnel are generally met with gratitude and respect. 'In Singapore, no matter what they do, they always get flak—whether they’re sitting down, sweating, or just wearing the uniform,' he lamented, urging for a cultural shift in how NSmen are perceived and treated.

Commentary from Netizens

Commentary from fellow Reddit users echoed his frustrations, attributing the entitled attitudes towards NSmen to a misguided notion that those in uniforms are obligated to go above and beyond for civilians. 'People often see anyone in uniform as a target because they think they can't defend themselves without risking a backlash,' one user pointed out.

Furthermore, many commenters clarified that assisting with the wheelchair ramp is specifically the bus captain's responsibility, emphasizing that further expectations placed upon NSmen are unfair and illogical. One user elaborated, 'The bus captain is trained for this; they are the ones accountable for making sure it’s done correctly to prevent injuries.'

A Broader Issue of Compassion

Interestingly, while many shared their grievances, others provided a more nuanced view, suggesting that the attitude reflected by some older generations doesn’t represent all Singaporeans. They highlighted instances of kindness shown to those in uniform, recounting personal experiences of being treated generously in similar circumstances.

In another related incident, a woman shared on social media a distressing encounter where an elderly man filmed and yelled at her for resting on a reserved MRT seat due to severe health issues that left her feeling unwell. Her story sheds light on a broader issue of how society often lacks understanding and compassion, particularly towards those who might be grappling with unseen struggles.

Conclusion

This string of incidents points towards an urgent need for awareness and respect in public spaces—encouraging all Singaporeans to foster a more supportive environment for NSmen and others in service.