'Music must be loud then nice': Elderly MRT commuter allegedly refuses to lower volume
A video of an elderly MRT commuter listening to an old Mandarin song on what appears to be an old-school hand-held transistor radio has gone viral.
Subtitled, "When SMRT ask him to lower down, he said 'music must be loud then nice'", the 12-second clip posted on Nov 4 by TikToker @yourgrandfather_logic had garnered 145,700 views, 3,150 reactions and 718 comments at press time.
The clip, however, does not show intervention by any SMRT staff. There is also no indication that anybody in the cabin found it a nuisance, though the original poster said the music was very loud.
Some netizens did not approve of the elderly man's behaviour.
"I thought music disturbance in public transport is an offence?" said a TikToker, alluding to new laws passed on Oct 14 which will penalise disruptive passengers.
"Singapore need at least a quiet ride home out of the noise and stress at work. That's not much to ask for right?" said another.
Other netizens called for a little more tolerance for the elderly passenger.
"Guys, be kind and have a compassionate heart, trying to be righteous doesn't make you great. Without your parents you are not even born, respect the elderly just as you respect your parents moreover how many years these elderly are left with?" said a TikToker.
"Please accommodate the old folks. They have contributed much to our society. Be tolerant," said another.
But some felt that entitled behaviour from the elderly should not be condoned.
"Let's not normalise such inconsiderate behavior on account of age...in fact one should be wiser and more considerate with age . not the other way around…" a TikToker argued.
Others thought the elderly man could be hard of hearing.
"Please let the senior enjoy himself. It could be his hearing. Please be understanding," said a netizen.
Amid suggestions to counter the noise, one netizen said: "Stand beside him play heavy metal music loud and he will leave."
Stomp has reached out to SMRT for comment.
