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Diva
updated 9 Feb 2012, 00:20
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Thu, Feb 09, 2012
The New Paper
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Commuters still don't spare a thought for pregnant women

I HOPE that this letter will help create social awareness among commuters who use MRT and buses.

I’m currently four months pregnant with my first child. I travel toand from work by the MRT every day from Pasir Ris to Outram Park and back.

There have been instances where some caring soul would give up his or her seat for me.

Regrettably, there are still many inconsiderate Singaporeans who would simply ignore me.

For example,on my way home on Monday, I stood in front of the priority seat which was occupied by a woman reading a newspaper.

She looked up at me and raised her newspaper even higher. The woman next to her also looked at me, glanced at my tummy,and straight away closed her eyes.

Another lady at the third seat was alighting and she signalled to me to take her seat.

But just as she stood up, another woman rushed to the seat and straight away closed her eyes.

But she would open her eyes once in a while, look around,and then close them again.

I am appalled by the character and attitude of such people, especially women,who should understand the situation of a pregnant woman.

This has happened not just to me but to many other pregnant women.

This is such a disgrace to our society and a shame in spite of the signs and posters pasted in the trains.

People should be more considerate.

Rina Munir

This article was first published in The New Paper.

more: pregnant
readers' comments
In Singapore, government said must take care of self self first.

Anyway kind heart people offer me seat I also relunctant to take. Because the seat usually damn hot. Wait backside kena burnt.

So better to stand a bit. Also good training.
Posted by old_dilbert on Sat, 5 Jun 2010 at 08:22 AM


He has a hole in his brain that is leaking and needs to be plugged :D
Posted by honkypong on Sat, 5 Jun 2010 at 08:14 AM
It's a fact that when people talk about giving up seats for pregnant women, most times they're saying that men commuters should be considerate. I thought that since women know what it feels like to be pregnant, we should see more women giving their seats to fellow women commuters.
Posted by asia_twotwo on Fri, 4 Jun 2010 at 21:54 PM


What? Regulations such as "Do Not Enter The Track"?
Posted by Trouser Press on Tue, 1 Jun 2010 at 07:00 AM
sometimes have to blame the woman themselves in general .... most people who has not been pregnant before doesn't really know how pregnant woman at 4 mths looks like its not like they wear a big sign on the tummy saying i am 4 mth pregnant, most would have though gee the woman put on weight ... but its best not to say anything otherwise if you mistake her chubbiness for pregnancy she will be screaming at you non-stop. So why take the risk. I mean we give up our seat for pregnant woman who are like 7-9mth pregnant, we can see its there and therefore give, but sometimes this woman expects it to be given an dtakes it for granted, for thos below 6 mth ... its sometimes a guessing game. Unless we can get all woman pregnant or fat to accept gracefully the actions of others .... most .....
Posted by macy54321 on Mon, 31 May 2010 at 23:30 PM
I have a phobia taking public transport now. Too many rules & regulations to follow..... :-(
Posted by lovemelovemenot on Mon, 31 May 2010 at 21:16 PM


The way I see it:

You lost your marbles, not just your ball...;)
Posted by Trouser Press on Mon, 31 May 2010 at 18:47 PM
The Way I See It:


I don't see any urgent needs to give up seat for pregnant women. :D
Posted by ILostMyBall on Mon, 31 May 2010 at 18:39 PM
The answer to this I based on yellow lines and track incursions.

1. Fine for standing wrong side of Yellow Line: $500.
2. Fine for entering the tracks: $5000.

Simply extend to:

3. Thinking about taking the Reserved Seat when a pregnant woman is around: Fine $500.
4. Actually hogging the Reserved Seat when a pregnant woman is around: Fine $5000.

This should turn around this disgraceful state-of-affairs.
Posted by Trouser Press on Mon, 31 May 2010 at 17:40 PM
yeah i think everyone should be more considerate about this.
Posted by tsaga_kis on Mon, 31 May 2010 at 17:33 PM

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