How one man dealt with a couple's fight

Mr Adrian Chua was grabbing a bite at a fast food restaurant on Tuesday when he noticed a black-faced couple locked in a cold war.

Instead of minding his own business like a typical Singaporean would, the 41-year-old performed an unusually sweet gesture to get the pair to patch up.

He bought a cup of coffee and handed it to the man, and gave the woman a stalk of rose.

Explains the interactive and digital media lecturer from Nanyang Polytechnic: "I said, 'I notice you guys had a bad argument, being silent and all. So here's a gift from a total stranger who has faith that you guys will work it out.'"

The incident took place at McDonald's at Choa Chu Kang, at about 7.30am.

Mr Chua, who is divorced with one daughter, says the gesture was motivated by the desire to give the couple a catalyst to make up after their fight. "They just needed something in common," he adds. "They were a bit surprised, but I saw them talking after I walked away."

The act of kindness was his way of paying it forward, after being on the receiving end many years ago.

"I was studying in Australia and had forgotten to bring my wallet. I was stuck at a bus stop with no bus fare.

"A woman noticed, came up to me and gave me $10, telling me to buy something for myself to eat," he recounts.

"She really taught me an important lesson - that strangers would like to help if given the chance.

Hopefully my gesture will trigger them (the couple) to do something nice for someone else in future, give them some faith in humanity.

Read the full story here.

Most Singaporeans won't intervene in public spat

It was supposed to be an act to see if strangers would step in to break up a quarrel between a couple, which could have turned violent.

But in only three of the "fights" did someone step in.

Of the three people who intervened in the quarrel, two appeared to be foreigners.

Why won't Singaporeans intervene in a couple's public fight?

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Click on the thumbnails to find out the signs of an abuser and what you can do to help (Source: Pave, Aware; Photos: TNP, Screengrabs: YouTube)