Thursday, December 22, 2011

Day 1: Rules

I was busy meeting up with friends and prof in school that I did not find time to take good photos.
Just happened to be on campus to meet my prof, so I get to meet a good friend for one last time before he leaves for Sweden.
Went to the Post Office and helped to do some shipping.
Overweight luggage, the lock without the keys, signatures on the forms.
Problems after problems. It was insane. But we made it.
Faked a few signatures on unimportant forms and broke the lock.
Sometimes, I just love breaking rules (1st Thing About Rules: Break the Rules)
Problems solved. Back to campus to meet my prof.
Nice chat, good times, as always. But can't tell, don't wanna get in trouble.
You know, those university rules. Bureaucracy.(2nd Thing About Rules)

Alright. Here comes the picture of the day.
Theme: Simple Rules.
Traffic signs are what we all see each day.
But I'm talking about the basic rules in life, how to be a good person. (Rules in Life)
And no, to give way is not what I wanna talk about.
One of my basic rules of life is: Respect.
Even if I'm in a dilemma, I won't compromise respect, always respect others and myself.

The story behind the photo:
At 7pm, I still don't have a photo for my 10-Day Photo Challenge.
I was on the MTR, somehow exhausted, thinking that I might fail the challenge on the very first day.
I overheard a couple sitting just opposite to me arguing, for reason that I don't know and don't wanna know.
As a girl, I can tell that the woman was angry but not that angry. She complained, but did it with a smile.
All she needed was just sweet words and probably a hug from her man.
Her man didn't get it. He was concentrating fully on his iPhone.
He found her annoying, asked her to shut up, not in a polite way.
Now, the woman's really pissed. Stupid man.
She was more upset and complained even more.The man still didn't care.
The woman switched her attention from whatever-she-was-complaining to something that ALL women on this planet care about:
Attitude.
I heard myself thinking (or maybe I did say it out, I don't know): Oops! Man, you're in trouble...

He finally put down his iPhone.
But I didn't expect what happened next--he looked at her with disgust and impatience, and slapped her!
He slapped her! Right on her face, in front of a whole bunch of strangers.
Then he hit her head. Not a punch, but still, it is violence.

I was angry for what I witnessed.
Didn't know if I should go and ask him to stop or I should call someone/ the police to help.
After all, it's not my first time to stand up for someone. Just that I have not confronted a big man.
But I didn't do anything. And no other passenger cared.
The reason?
The woman felt okay with it. She was happy enough that she got that short-lived attention.
I don't know if she's a masochist. But I really feel sorry for her, and others who feel nothing to such disrespectful act.

We no longer live in a world that cherishes manners and etiquette, at least not as much as it did before.
To respect others is a virtue that many forget.
When you take considerations of others (and their feelings), treat them as important as yourself / treat them as human beings, you naturally respect.

Of course the man was disrespectful of the woman. What he did shows what kind of a person he is.
But the worst thing was that the woman allowed this to happen on her. 
She didn't respect herself. How could anyone accept that?

Didn't take a picture of the couple. Of course.
But I saw this traffic sign and immediately got the idea: Give Way VS Respect

I understand that in a relationship, whatever relationship it is, we all sacrifice and compromise.
We all face the dilemma: To give way or not?
Yes, it's important to be yourself.
But being yourself is not always good, if it means you keep your bad habits.
One of my rules is to respect.
Respect differences and respect yourself.
Never compromise by sacrificing respect and dignity.

Like what my mum taught me:
Everyone deserves to be respected. And others only respect you when you respect yourself.

Bonus--Another sign that applies to relationships: 'No Entry For Unauthorized Person'

Love & Respect,
N

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