We are all the same?

On the way home today, I found myself perturbed by what an elderly man said on the overcrowded bus. This was what happened: Two elderly ladies placed their belongings on the empty seat next to where they were seated whilst some others had difficulty getting on the bus. Coincidentally, this man wanted to sit down but didn't ask for the seat. Instead, he stared at one of the elderly ladies hoping that she'll get the hint and remove her things. Alas! She didn't and he got flustered after a short while, gave her a piece of his mind and finally ended his reproach with "you Singaporeans are all the same!".

Maybe it was the rain, but at that point, this was what was going through my mind: if things here in Singapore are so ill-favoured and the habits of some Singaporeans displeasing, shouldn't he be better off in another city or country? What on earth is he doing on a bus heading towards the north-eastern suburb at dusk on this little island I call home? Ethnic nationality aside, I don't think his seniority gives him the prerogative to make a statement like this. What I'm regretting not doing now is that I'd wished I had the courage to tell him what I thought of his last comment.

Of course, I know it wouldn't have really mattered to the stranger whether I said my piece or not, but now as I recount this incident, I wonder what I was afraid of, especially when I was gritting my teeth in indignation at that time.