I would define a "shame" culture as a society whereby people are particularly judgemental about other people's behaviour, and thus based on their judgement, take certain actions such as taking pictures of these people in an attempt to "shame" and condemn them.
I shall start off by touching on a determinant of Singapore's "shame" society, the reserved seating in MRT trains. Reserved seats are reserved for the more disabled commuters on trains. There has been a big fuss about it ever since people began taking pictures of others seating on reserved seats, which there or might not be anyone who is in need of the seat more at that point of time. Some of them would then upload these pictures we normally see on "stomp". It was done so commonly for the past few years and I totally do not see the need of uploading it on "stomp", or anywhere on social media in a bid to "shame" the person.
In the past, I do not give much consideration about the "shame" society we live in today, until I experienced being “shamed” first hand for something… not really worthy to be shamed.
Here is an account of what happened:
Recently, a man in his 50s once took a picture of me sitting on a reserved seat in my JC uniform. I took a seat on the reserved seating after I offered an elderly lady my seat but she kindly rejected it. At first he tried to snap a photo of me but I was quick to react and questioned him. I did not leave the seat because I did not feel guilty of doing anything wrong. He pretended to read something before taking pictures of me when I wasn’t attentive. I didn’t approach the man because I did not want to start even a slightest commotion on a half crowded train in my school uniform. I believe there was a better approach to this than taking pictures of me to “shame” me for my behaviour, which may seemed more serious since I was in my school uniform.
I have asked many of my peers and relatives on their views on reserved seating on trains. I would say 90% of them feel that they would give up their seat for someone who is in need, not because of their caring nature, but the fact that they fear being judged and getting “stomped” by others. They admit that sometimes they are unwilling to do so but succumb to the fear of being judged. This has become an obligation or a “requirement” while travelling on trains. This has come to a point where we, seating on reserved seats, think if someone is actually old enough for us to offer them a seat, out of fear. The obligation and judgement is so strong that my friend once didn’t hesitate to offer a slightly plump lady a seat, not knowing that the lady was not even pregnant. She must have felt so insulted back then. It is also common to see NSmen not taking a seat even though the train is half empty because they fear of being judged upon. I remembered there was a time where an NSmen got “stomped” because he was drinking mineral water, standing, on the train. What is becoming of our society for wrongly “shaming” these people for? How does this benefit them?
This “shame” culture have become so severe that people actually feel obligated to give up a reserved seat? Isn’t it supposed to be based on one’s morals? I would say the government have successfully encouraged Singaporeans to be more gracious through their campaigns to a certain extend, but in my opinion, the crux of it still lies within our morals. I believe there is a better way of condemnation than through shame.
Alex
TRS Contributor