As the nine-to-fivers in China commute each day and undergo the pressure of crowded throngs during rush hour, a number of old people are joining the chaos and have raised a moral quandary for the younger generation-whether or not to allow them in.
In Wuhan, two elderly women suffered humiliation as they prepared to board a bus during the morning rush hour. “The others are commuting to work and they have to earn a living, why do you follow and worsen the congestion?” said the driver. Angered by his rude remarks, the passengers opened fire on the driver and some offered their seats to the women in good faith. But frustrated and embarrassed, the two, tottering, denied their offer and stood in the bus until they disembarked.
The news, some critics say, is a sad comment on the traditional idea that we should venerate and care for the elderly, since in China, privilege and honor are often accorded to those in advancing years. But in some eyes, the special status assigned to the elderly is the main culprit of their growing presence in many public places, such as parks and museums, in which they are exempt from fares according to local regulations.
The same problem also affects private sectors. Last year, an IKEA shop in Shanghai was occupied by hoards of middle-aged customers and large crowds of singles between the ages of 45 and 65 who showed up for unlimited coffee, and sought a potential date.
The moral quandary arising from the incident has lead to a heated debate over whether the elderly should avoid rush hour. On China’s Sina Weibo, over 52,000 users voted for their withdrawal, compared to the about 8000 voters insisting on their rights.
User 柒分之肆 wrote: “#The Elderly to Avoid the Rush Hours# It is a really terrible experience during the rush hours. Even the young people cannot bear the physical and emotional pains. To keep it safe, the elderly have to avoid the rush hours.”
User 大苏 wrote: “#The Elderly to Avoid the Rush Hours# I agree. In fact, we are much more tired than the elderly, and some old men even take advantage of their seniority."
User 鱼米网-无为若存 wrote: “#The Elderly Have Their Right to Travel# The buses belong to the whole society, not a certain group. I think the elderly will not have to squeeze onto the buses if they don’t have emergent matters. If they are not allowed to travel during the rush hours, it may be another form of discrimination.”
User keeano_ wrote: “#The Elderly Have Their Right to Travel# I think the elderly do not have to avoid the rush hours. They have their right to travel, why should we impose restrictions on them? It is our traditional virtue to venerate the old and care for the kids. You can choose not to offer your seats to them, but you can’t delimit their freedom.”
By Xu Xinlei
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