'No respect for others' - International school student draws flak for propping feet up on MRT grab pole

SINGAPORE: A student from an international school has come under fire after a photograph showing her resting her feet against a grab pole on an MRT train spread online.

Images of the incident were shared with citizen journalism site Stomp by a commuter who said it occurred on the North-East Line on March 24. The student, dressed in a school uniform, was seen seated with her legs stretched out and her Adidas-clad feet placed on a vertical grab pole.

According to the eyewitness, the student sat in such a manner throughout the journey from Little India to Woodleigh Station.

The commuter said the sight left her feeling uncomfortable, as the poles are frequently touched by passengers, raising hygiene concerns. She felt the behaviour was inconsiderate as the student did not move her legs even when other commuters needed to pass by.

The woman further questioned whether such conduct would be tolerated elsewhere and opined that being part of an expatriate community should not excuse disregard for shared public spaces.

As for why she did not approach the student directly, the commuter said she was uncertain how the student might respond. She added that the behaviour appeared to draw attention from others on the train, including elderly passengers, and was striking enough to prompt a second look.

Online reactions were mixed. One Redditor, u/celestialaquarian, said, "There is no incentive to behave morally if the rules of society are not enforced. If actions have no repercussions, society breaks down, everything devolves into chaos."

Others, however, questioned the decision to photograph and publicise the incident rather than addressing it on the spot.