Reading the letter of M. Dutard, 'Many examples of kindness' (South China Morning Post, October 6), leads me to share my experience on this matter. Like M. Dutard I have always offered my seat when I see frail passengers standing in any public transport, except for one time when I was seven months pregnant. I noticed an old woman who could not reach the handrail because the tram we were on was packed. I called the attention of the young man sitting beside me so he could offer his seat, but he said firmly in Cantonese: 'No! No! No!' Then he stared at me and asked if I was a Filipina. When I did not answer, he started shouting at me in Cantonese (some of the more popular curses). And, to make sure I understood, he kept repeating 'go back to Philippines' in English. He looked like he wanted to hit me. The passengers around me did and said nothing, not even the old woman. I was unable to walk away because the tram was full. I had to suffer this all the while I sat beside him. I was completely taken aback. My sister had to pull me out of my chair and we got off, even though we had not yet reached our destination. You could imagine how badly shaken I was and also my faith was in the general good will of Hong Kong people. VIOLI BOLOS Staunton Street M. Dutard claims to be 'shocked to learn' that I did not help the disabled woman I referred to in my letter (South China Morning Post, September 23). The point was not what I did but what others did not do. I find it odd that I have to defend myself for expressing concern about a lack of consideration for the disabled and the elderly. I am very pleased that M. Dutard has witnessed many acts of kindness and I must admit that in the 14 months I have lived in Hong Kong I, too, have witnessed similar acts whilst travelling on the KCR/MTR; to be precise, three. Two young men and one young woman gave their seats to elderly passengers. Not very impressive figures. Unlike M. Dutard, however, I do not feel inclined to ask locals to give up their seats for others. Nor should I have to. I doubt Hong Kong could have become the stable, dynamic, modern, entrepreneurial society it is today if, as M. Dutard suggests, its people lacked initiative or were shy. The people of Hong Kong should not be treated like children, M. Dutard. Some are shy, some are self-centred, and some are kind and considerate, as in all societies. The fact is that the treatment of the elderly and the disabled in Hong Kong is 'heartless' and this will only change when people show they will no longer tolerate it. E. HERDMAN Sha Tin I agree that some people in Hong Kong have become very self-centred. They turn a blind eye to other people's suffering. However, I also agree that some might have great difficulty in taking the initiative and offering their seat, because of 'misguided shyness'. Let us start to change the 'self-centred culture' by being good role models ourselves. We should give up our seats; teach our children, parents, neighbours and fellow citizens the meaning of caring and reciprocity. Let us practise what we preach in every aspect of our daily lives. ANN SHIU Kowloon
