Yea such inconsiderate behaviour. I don't know how some can justify its merits or even its existence.
i think there is a difference in cultural background and upbringing that sees a different viewpoint. just think of you carrying a bowl of hot soup noodles and having to look for a seat... you may think that those who support it is inconsiderate. but similarly i regard the other party who took the seats despite already knowing someone is there earlier not just inconsiderate and rude, but utterly a bully.
not too long ago, a few young british tourists took a rickshaw in sg and laughs at how slow the 70+ old man is slogging his way carrying all three on the same rickshaw, jumped off the rickshaw half way and took a cab instead. there seems an allerged uncertain part of them not paying or paying only a partial sum (which later on is affirmed of paying a partial sum becos they think the service is not up to standard). they videoed it and put on the internet, only to bring up the wrath of many angry singaporeans. on the other hand, many british on their forum thinks otherwise of the response of the singaporeans, thinking that the rickshaw pricing is a rip off, that it is singapore fault of poor welfare that an old man have to work while still so old, and that at such rip off and so slow, the service doesn't worth that price and they are in the right of not paying full or not paying at all.... while admitting to some insensitive parts of the young drunk guys, though put as only minor... that's actually illustrate how different the viewpoints are between different cultures (taken into consideration of differences in the "sides of the story").
it is later said that at one point of time, the rickshaw driver, who knows little of english, had once move in front and pulled open one of the guy's wallet, of which the westerner forumers are very taken aback. and while i think most would think the act is very rude, i can empathise, though not agree, with the old driver coming from his cultural background and in the unexpectedly rare situation that he comes across becos it is his first encounter after decades of working in this job.
i seldom bring tissue papers and have never ever use the tissue paper packet to take a seat, and is among many of those "disadvantaged" guys, so there is no conflict of interest, but i have seen such practices (though not as prevalent) decades ago and know where it is coming from. i'm aware of your proficiency in a debate, but i only wish to highlight there is a difference in viewpoints. instead of labelling so fast, certainly more can be said in discussion. in the first place, why is it considered inconsiderate? is it becos some people do not carry tissue papers or are unwilling to do so of what they perceived to be somewhat ungracious, but being so render them at a losing end of not finding a seat? i can understand why some ppl dun like the practice, but i'm still hard pressed for the reason of it being considered inconsiderate. i see it more as of intolerance. maybe you can share your viewpoint on this.
