MRT breakdown brought out the best in S'poreans

Source Website: http://news.asiaone.com/news/mailbox/mrt-breakdown-brought-out-best-sporeans
By The Straits Times (Mailbox), Sunday, 12 July 2015

PHOTO: During the massive MRT breakdown on Tuesday, it was heartening to hear that amid the chaos, unhappiness and negativity, there was a swell of compassion and kindness
Photo: Zaobao
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During the massive MRT breakdown on Tuesday, it was heartening to hear that amid the chaos, unhappiness and negativity, there was a swell of compassion and kindness ("Making good out of a bad situation" by Ms Susan Tan Chwee Huay, "Kind acts lift spirits amid all the disruption"; both published on Thursday, and "Kind acts, a poem and song lyrics, amid MRT breakdown chaos"; ST Online, Wednesday).

From the stories emerging in The Straits Times and across social media, many clearly went out of their way to be helpful, with gestures such as offering rides or refreshments to stranded commuters.

Others contributed in different, but very significant ways - by keeping spirits up and exuding an infectious positivity, for both frustrated passengers and harried staff.

At a time when many commuters were frustrated and angry, there was a risk that negativity could spiral into contagion. It didn't.

By cooperating and working together, whether by helping drivers pass instructions down the bus, ride-sharing, shepherding traffic or buying drinks and snacks for SMRT and Land Transport Authority ground staff, these commuters make us feel good and, in turn, inspire others to feel better.

Small gestures like a smile, a laugh, or even simple good nature can really make a bad situation feel better.

Consciously or not, these gestures, both small and grand, have been heartening. They reaffirm that despite what may be said about Singaporeans' tendency to grumble or complain, we are more than capable of banding together in moments of difficulty.

They are proof that Singaporeans, working together, can overcome any adversity, and that while they rightly seek accountability for this fiasco, they do not let it overwhelm their better nature.

William Wan (Dr)
General Secretary
Singapore Kindness Movement

By The Straits Times (Mailbox), Sunday, 12 July 2015
This article was first published on July 11, 2015.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

PHOTO: Kind gestures help ease tension at stations
McDonald's staff serving drinks to people affected by the SMRT train disruption. Such gestures of generosity and kindness helped take the edge off the tension and frustration at train stations yesterday, as thousands were left stranded for hours.

One taxi driver, who had arrived at an MRT station to pick up his stranded wife, offered rides to other commuters who were left hanging due to the service breakdown on the North-South and East-West lines.

Others brought food and drinks to commuters and train station staff who were deployed to manage crowds at the stations.

At a time when many commuters were frustrated and angry, it warms the heart to see how kind singaporeans are.

Despite what may be said about Singaporeans' tendency to grumble or complain, we are more than capable of banding together in moments of difficulty.
Photo: @lilyjamesgrey/Twitter
Posted by Today, published on 8 July 2015 at 4:16 AM 
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Reference

• http://news.asiaone.com/news/mailbox/mrt-breakdown-brought-out-best-sporeans

• https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tmJoDuHUVHB5P5aAtTsWvzcLw4YfRrA1DGWKurkhkMriXGiAi6rh8Rll5rdXtHbUzQFug9RhZJD_nXCAXIqe4V0YHRBNUjWPNLkDPFKh2w1_JLBKeVIAdy1K-8waDdLZOgaLyfSD3XE/s1600/mrtbd_zb.jpg 
• http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w848/public/original_images/Jul2015/mrtbd_zb.jpg?itok=6TbzBBj4 
• http://news.asiaone.com/news/mailbox/mrt-breakdown-brought-out-best-sporeans

• https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D_JnnwnVloyjq2BSD3yLCDRJjtO5HlN8SUJFQC9r-1bQW9u7uMPJlcW1i_xrsfu_v9xUCLDrSeg7b3weE4Y4rLTEknAshy_LJ1mq8sbWUQgsUTm_kAVrq_ZR8yQNVh8iaQhpwqJmiKk/s1600/22895965.JPG 
• http://www.todayonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery_image_lightbox/public/22895965.JPG?itok=FC-9HAhG 
• http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/kind-gestures-help-ease-tension-stations