[890] Of failing to line up at the train stations

It’s quite surprising for me to see many commuters of the light rail transit in Kuala Lumpur failed to line up (tag). A considerable number of commuters — at some stations almost overwhelmingly — simply ignore pre-existing lines and cut it with impunity. When the train comes, they get to be the first to get on the train, at the expense of those that actually take the pain to line up. What’s more shocking is the fact that those that are made worse by those that cut the lines do nothing to stop it almost every time.

What’s up fellow commuter?

Don’t you get ticked off to see somebody cut the line you’re in? Don’t you feel the need to do something?

Commuters that don’t know how to line up come in many forms. It might be some senior citizens, adults or simply school kids that think they’re kings of the world with their latest pants style; male or female. Through complex Malaysian culture, perhaps it’s comprehendible why the young don’t criticize their seniors — that would probably amount to disrespect. If this is the case, then I’d like to say, respect is earned; it doesn’t not come automatically with age.

I’m not sure why many commuters refuse to stand up for themselves and tell those that failed to adhere to common courtesy to get in line.

I on the other hand have a strong urge to defend my rights – I line up and I plan to get on the train when my turn comes. I have serious issue when those that don’t line up and then get to get on the train earlier than me. In most cases, the libertarian part of me will whisper to me and say “Hey, are you going to let him/her get away with that?”

Throughout months of me using the light rail system, I’ve only seen four times when somebody actually told off those that cut the line to get in line; that somebody was me.

In three times, it were uncontroversial. I simply reached out for the arm of the person each time and politely said, “I’m sorry but there’s a line here” or its variation right in the public. One time, it was a foreigner while the other two involved locals. The fourth incident however was pretty harsh on my part.

It was morning and commuters were lining up. I as with many others had to let many trains to pass us by simply because the trains were full and it was impossible to get in. Then suddenly came a woman with headscarf. Instead of standing at the back and line up, she had the audacity to come straight to the front and made another line of her own.

When I saw that and the fact that nobody stopped her, my day was practically ruined early in the morning. The thought that she would get on the train first by cutting the line while diminishing my chance of getting on the train according to my turn was the final throe. I asked a person behind me to reserve my turn, broke off from the line, came up to the women and verbally abused her in front of all the other commuters. After a minute or two of abuse, I got back into my line.

And boy, the blowing up experience was a great feeling and even greater because she didn’t fight back. In fact, not only didn’t she fight back, from the look of her face, she was absolutely stunned!

In retrospect, it would’ve been a horrible experience if she had fought back. I myself hate unnecessary confrontation. Perhaps, another reason why most commuters don’t confront the “line cutters” is that common commuters aren’t fond of confrontation. I personally would prefer a peaceful day where I could do my dealings with ease and without trouble if it’s at all possible. Nevertheless, I don’t compromise my rights if the rights are just and fair. Even more if I worked for it. Neither should you.

Really fellow commuters, if you don’t defend your right, nobody will. If you allow others to cut your line at your expense and you fail to stand up for yourself, you only embolden the violators to continue to cut your and somebody else’s lines. Our lines. Soon, they’d would assume that its a norm to cut the lines. Is that what we want?

So, stand up and tell them off. The next time somebody cut your line, ask politely “didn’t your mother tell you to line up when you were small?”

Or you could just say, “Yo f*** face, get at the f***ing back and line your big f***ing *** up like everybody ****ing else” if you’re having a bad day. But please be polite while saying the f word.

p/s – I’ve reading KL Commuter for about a week or so now and I like it.