Priority Seating Controversy in Asia

 

The debate in Asia regarding priority seating mainly centers on generational conflict, the ambiguity in defining "those in need," and the nature of the act of "giving up a seat." The debate includes the view among some older people that priority seats are specifically for them, while younger people believe that giving up a seat should be voluntary or on a "first-come, first-served" basis, leading to antagonism and moral blackmail between the elderly and the young. Meanwhile, design issues, such as overt color differentiation or emphasizing specific groups, may exacerbate the conflict, turning priority seats into "criticism seats" or "labeling seats."

Generational Conflict and Moral Blackmail: Elderly Perspective: Some elders believe young people should unconditionally give up their seats and criticize those who don't with terms like "bad manners," leading to conflict.

Young People's Perspective: Some young people believe giving up a seat should be done sincerely, not under duress. Being forced or subjected to online criticism can cause resentment, leading some to choose not to sit in priority seats to avoid trouble.

Identifying "Needers": Implicit Needs: The labeling of priority seats cannot cover all "needers," such as pregnant women in early pregnancy, passengers experiencing discomfort, or those with internal organ disabilities. They may be hesitant to request priority seats due to their less obvious appearance or to avoid being labeled.

Stigmatization: The design of priority seats (such as color differentiation) reinforces the feeling of being "labeled," making some passengers (especially those who appear healthy) feel they shouldn't sit there, leading to high seat vacancy rates or "seat-grabbing."

The Essence of Giving Up a Seat: From Etiquette to Responsibility: The original intention of providing priority seating was to remind people to care for one another. However, when giving up a seat becomes an institutionalized obligation, it may lose its original politeness and empathy, transforming into a mere duty or responsibility, or even being used for emotional blackmail.

Education and Civic Awareness: Many experts believe that civic education should be strengthened to cultivate good character and empathy among citizens, making "giving up a seat" a natural behavior, rather than relying on seating arrangements or coercion.