make a stand

make a stand for ourselves and others, for the change we want to see in the world

Came across this page from Brave by Margie Warrell.

"...make a stand for something: for the values we care about, for the difference we want to make, for the causes we believe in and for the injustice we don't."

This reminds me of the people whom I've come across in life.

Those who do not stand for themselves.

Those who see wrong and not make it right - just because minding their own business is the best for them, but is it the best for others?

Those who blindly apply 'let it go' for most things in life - it makes peace and makes you look like a saint for the moment but it does not change anything for the better or make a difference.

I was assigned a window seat on my flight to Yangon. As we were the last few to board the flight, there was already a Burmese guy on my seat. Oh well, I'm an aisle person so it doesn't really matter if the window seat was taken - middle seat won't make any difference.

So I sat on his middle seat instead. Not long after, there was an announcement specifically reminding passengers to be seated at their allocated seats and changing seats are not allowed.

Haha. Okay. It must have happened so frequently on this route that such reminder is required. After hearing the announcement, so many thoughts ran through my head.

- What's the consequence of changing seats?
- What happens if the flight attendants found out? I'm gonna argue that they were the one who didnt make sure he sits on his own seat.
- Do I ask him to surrender my window seat? (But I don't want to change seat cos he looks oily and smells of something, it's better if he stays where he is)
- Do I tell him that I'm aware that he has taken my seat but it's no biggy? (Just so he knows that he is on the wrong seat)
- Would he get annoyed and stab me with a knife?
- Could he pass the security scans with a knife on him? What is impossible in Msia?

I decided to close my eyes and go to sleep. Hahaha.

While waiting for the plane to take off, he was constantly on the phone, texting or taking selfie. I wonder if the AirAsia staff were his friends that they all deliberately missed him when doing the routine seatbelt and electronic devices check. Wth...

This joker was still texting and taking videos when the safety demonstration took place. I was freaking annoyed because I am kiasi. What impact could an electronice device have on the take off? I have no idea. But if they set out a reminder, there ought to be reasons for it.

So when the joker was not aware, I pressed the 'assistance' button. Hahaha. The steward came over, I pretended like it wasn't me who press it. Then he saw the joker with the phone and told him to switch it off. He did as told...for a few seconds before he turned it on again. Zzzz.

He continued recording video of the take off. I couldn't stand it anymore. Wtf....I should have taken the window seat from him. So I tapped on his shoulders and told him no handphone. He said Okok.

After few seconds, he took out his phone again and gave me the "quiet" sign - signalling me not to tell the staff. Zzzz. At that moment, I gave up. I could only pray that the plane will take off safely and I don't end up dying because an idiot decided to record video of the take off.

If only he speaks english or chinese, I would have told him that nobody will ever watch his stupid video because it was recorded at an angle, it gives headache, and YouTube has better videos...most importantly, he is putting everyone's life at risk (I think? Haha).

As I'm still able to write this post, it means the plane took off and landed safely. Hehe. But it doesn't mean that what he did was right. Getting away once means he might repeat this in future. Ya it was a peaceful ending for us, but does it change anything for the better?

The next time around, I will let whoever know that he is on the wrong seat but he can continue to enjoy the window seat if he wants to. If he is keen, I will give him a lesson on how to read the tickets and take the right seat. And handphone is strictly prohobited during take off and landing!

"...fall mindlessly into the path of least resistance, maximum self-interest and minimal contribution...contributes little to the welfare of others..."

It's easier to close an eye on issues than to stand and voice out our views (not in a critical manner) for the betterment of others. Wrong application of 'letting go' of issues could lead to ignorance.

Everyone plays a part in making the world a better place. Don't keep mum when you could have made things change for the better.