Seriously?

[JR 500系]

What happened in Japan, and how everyone reacted:

 

http://www.japancrush.com/2013/pictures/commuters-save-woman-stuck-in-platform-gap-by-pushing-train.html

 

Similar incident in Perth and how everyone reacted:

 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/06/passengers-tilt-train-carriage-to-free-man-trapped-in-the-gap

 

Similar incident in Singapore, and how EVERYONE reacted. I mean, seriously?

 

http://www.therealsingapore.com/content/train-delay-north-east-line-after-students-leg-gets-caught-platform-gap

 

I'm disgraced to be called a Singaporean. We have a tendency of not working together and minding our own business?

[ToniBabelony]

So, basically what you're trying to say is that if you don't push a train sideways, the whole population of a country is anti-social?

[miyakoji]

Well, 2 people helped her :).  Looks like a bad angle.  Check out those heels on the left; they mean business.

[miyakoji]

And to elaborate on Toni's comment, as a person totally unfamiliar with Singapore, I don't believe this reflects on the whole society or country, and does not give me any particular impression or change my impression.  On the other hand, the chicken rice does, and I would say this is quite a positive thing .

[HantuBlauLOL]

Well, don't generalize things.. Perhaps she just have a bad luck that peoples beside her were bit antisocial.

[bikkuri bahn]

Can't comment about the people`s behavior, but as an aside, I actually witnessed somebody fall into the gap. It was at Hagiyama on the Seibu line. A girl of upper elementary school grade age fell just as she was about to get on a train. She was stuck up to her waist. She was pulled out by a passenger, quickly enough that the guard didn't notice until after the fact, despite being only one and a half car lengths away, preparing to give the go ahead signal.

Edited March 11, 2015 by bikkuri bahn

[JR 500系]

While I might be generalising things, it is because like miyakoji san said it's because I know Singapore way too well.

 

Then again, I just got slapped on another comment which totally makes sense, how are they going to tilt the train behind platform screen doors? My bad...

 

I don't wish to rant about Singapore and sound like a complaining idiot and bore everyone here, but I just wish if everyone just spared a little thought for each other:

 

Cite some common everyday examples:

 

1) Clearing your own table by returning your used utensils to the collection point.

2) Sitting on the side of a 6-seater table so that others may share the table instead of sitting in the dead centre and hogging the table all to yourself.

3) Driving really slow on the right most (fastest, overtaking lane) lane.

4) Not giving up your 'priority seat' for the ones that are supposed to sit there

5) Falling asleep as soon as an elderly or a disadvantaged person boards the train to avoid giving up your seat

6) Talking so loudly on your mobile in the train and letting everyone know all your conversation content  

7) Standing there cross-armed and Not willing to press the 'door open' button when you see a person running towards the lift.

 

etc.

7)       

[cteno4]

jr500,

 

yep these are the common frustrations in many modern cultures! I can say i've seen them here and on travels around the world as well.

 

Emergency situations are also tough as many folks just freeze in them. I know ive been in a few and shocked at how folks I know who are really responsible, able, and smart, just freeze up. It was very shocking. Also the issue of not wanting to get involved, i've been in experiences where those that should have stepped forward did not as they thought it was being handled well, when in fact they were better qualified to render aid.

 

But as others have said cant generalize to a whole culture or population, just need to be aware that some wont act in a way you our I would reflexively, but not everyone!

 

cheers

 

jeff

[westfalen]

Myself, I'd be waiting for emergency services and paramedics to arrive with proper equipment rather than suggest anything like this, and Queensland Rail would probably have my you know what in a sling if I did.  You've got 30 to 40 tons of steel on springs being held back by a group of amateur bystanders, if it slips back toward the platform before the victim is released he or she is going to have more than a few cuts and bruises.

 

When I first saw the story from Perth my first impression was they must be crazy over there.

[Mudkip Orange]

I think this is a social atomization type thing.

 

Japan has a relatively homogenous culture, as do parts of Australia. I don't know a lot about Singapore but I've heard that it basically sucks in high-achieving people from all over South and East Asia, and is really more of a mishmash of cultures in the same way the US is.

 

Certainly I'd expect the US reaction to be "stand and gawk and perhaps call the authorities."