Mentally-Unstable Woman Infiltrates IDA Seminar as “Jurong Health Staff”

[I gave her googly eye glasses to protect her privacy, for now]

I attended IDA’s full-day seminar (Enabling Digital Retail) today at the Mapletree Business City. After I had quickly finished my lunch during the lunch break, I ventured back into the freezing-cold auditorium to set up my laptop and do some work.

Took the seat closest to the door as I intended to leave early (around 3pm). Was doing my work and minding my own business in the largely-empty auditorium, when the white-haired lady (pictured above) rushed in and DEMANDED to know why I was in her seat.

I looked around at all the other empty seats and wondered why the seat I was in was… hers.

I told her that it’s free seating, and she and I can sit anywhere we each liked. But she insisted I had stolen her seat. I tried to explain that I didn’t. Her name is not on the seat, she did not leave any belongings on it, and there was no way of telling the seat is “hers”. And if she could please stop accusing me, thank you very much.

Then she goes on to ask me “Why do you want this seat?!” and “Why is your bag on the other seat?!” But hello, you can sleep across three seats if you want. Free seating plus not all participants were back from lunch. (@_@)

I didn’t know how to answer her silly questions, so I asked her to go check with the staff. She did… and they told her it was indeed a “free seating” arrangement.

And I gave her the seat, of course. Even though she is a rude, annoying, crazy woman.

I also had to keep telling her that we respect the elderly in Singapore but it doesn’t mean that she can bully people younger than her or abuse her (perceived) “authority”. (And to please stop screaming at me; want this seat, just ask nicely)

The nametag on her lanyard reads “Cheryl Chua, Jurong Health”.