Ak's Guide to Urban Sharing: View 99

Ever have the feeling that getting on the train is like riding on the school bus? Not that I ever used our 'School Bus No2' back then, but I have an idea of what it would be like. Anyway, you get on the train, and you scan the carriage for a spare set. You zero in on one and make a beeline for it. While burrowing your way through other passengers who are blocking your path to sitting your derriere comfortably, you hear the inevitable 'Tutting' (Ak's Definition: tutting is a unique way of verbalising your feelings without saying anything, but saying everything, and concluding it with eyeballs rolling! Initially, I used to think it was an English thing, but now anyone who lives in London long enough does it!! )

You finally make your way to the seat, which is still amazingly vacant. You're just about to sit down, and immediately feel the gaze of the passenger opposite or by your side already seated. We've all encountered that look. It's that gaze of "How dare you sit next to me?" Some people would intimidate by either cranking up the volume on their ipod, or put their feet up. Others have even gone further by just dumping their bag or books on the seat. And when you finally claim the sit as yours for the ride, said passengers will look you up and down and 'tut'.

Or that one time I had a severe coughing fit on the train. For no apparent reason, it just kicked off. Unfortunately I had nothing to drink with me. This 'bro' had a bottle of water and just sat there looking while it seemed i was literally chocking to death. Maybe it was a calculated move on his part, but for good measure, he takes a long swig at his bottle, and then turns away, just like everyone else. Well, nearly. A pregnant woman came up to me with her half full bottle of water and said, "I reckon you'd need this more than I do at the moment!". Kindness like that, Priceless.

Can you imagine a world where everyone all over the world, just for one hour, extended some kindness to one another? Just one hour...