Amidst discussion in the news about inconsiderate behaviours on Singapore's MRT train, someone wrote to mypaper via sms to complain that he (or she?) sees ladies putting on make-up on the MRT. Then, about a week later, mypaper published an article that featured a campaign by the Japanese express train company on considerate behaviours. One of these was featured below...




Men who can't seem to keep their legs together while sitting and taking up valuable leg space in the MRT? Inconsiderate. Commuters not giving up their seats to pregnant ladies and elderly people? Inconsiderate also. Commuters leaning their entire back against the poles thus depriving others from holding on to them while the train is moving? Inconsiderate, I'm sure. Blasting techno music in the MRT? Super inconsiderate. Allowing their children to sleep lying on an entire row of seats? Oh, inconsiderate, most definitely. Cutting nails on the train? Very very gross and inconsiderate.

But putting on make-up on the train? Why is that so inconsiderate? How bad can that be?

I sometimes am guilty of putting on make-up on trains as well, especially when I am constantly on the move and need the precious time where I can finally sit down on the train to touch-up on foundation and lip-stick. Of course I don't go to the extent of curling my eyelashes and doing elaborate makeovers on the train, though I do see some ladies who miraculously are able to do so.

But still, where is the inconsideration in doing make-up on the MRT trains???

I don't spill my foundation all over the place. I don't make loud noises when I am applying lipstick. I don't make huge movements as I quickly pat my nose with a handy mirror right in front of me. Does that bother people so much???

Why not focus on parents who allow their kids to play monkey bars in the trains? Why not focus on pesky teenagers to blast techno music in the train or discuss how they 'sabo' their friends as if everyone in the train from one end to the other is really dying to know? Or how about focus on commuters who magically fall asleep once a pregnant lady walks into the train? Or maybe even young couples who make out in the train?

Really, how does watching a lady do her make up offend people?

Gosh, so many people must have been disgusted by me as I patted my nose.