It should already be common sense, but in case anyone’s struggling with the logic, putting your feet up on bus seats is considered A Rude Thing To Do. 

Not only is it unhygienic (imagine sitting on the filth you might have stepped on), it also blocks other passengers from getting a seat. And no, it doesn’t matter whether the bus is empty — it’s just inconsiderate for everyone else when chairs get dirtied up.

Unfortunately, courtesy and graciousness aren't coming naturally to everyone. Last month, SMRT started putting up signs on buses that explicitly discourage commuters from stretching their legs onto seats opposite them. 

It’s sad enough that public transit users have to be reminded not to do it, but it’s even sadder to see that they’re still doing it in spite of the signs plastered right next to them. The juxtaposition of errant feet-uppers in immediate proximity to signages that tell them not to do so, in fact, has become a sort of trend on Facebook. 

Could it be that the graphic in the sign is too vague? Pretty unlikely. It just highlights the fact that some commuters just don’t give a damn, probably because they won’t get penalised for it. Well, except getting their pictures shared and shamed on social media, that is. 

Since signages aren’t enough to deter such habits, some online commenters have proposed changing the bus seat designs entirely. 

Truth be told, the easier, cost-effective method would be that bus transit riders just be considerate to others and keep their feet on the floor, where they belong. 

ilyas@asiaone.com

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