Malaysians Argue After Pregnant Mother & Child Weren't Given Priority To Use Lifts In KLCC
While many said it was an obvious answer of common courtesy, several others argued against them.
A father's lament on Twitter recently sparked public discourse on whether people in elevators should give their space away to parents with children and strollers in shopping malls
Twitter user @ameenazizul took to his account last Sunday, 14 August, to express his disappointment after his five-month pregnant wife had to wait indefinitely to use the elevators at Suria KLCC shopping mall.
"We're so defeated today. We waited about seven to eight times to get onto the lift at KLCC. But sadly, everybody was so ignorant and nobody gave way. Even though everyone [inside the lifts] was young and carrying only shopping bags, they weren't even old or pushing strollers," he wrote in his tweet.
He added that, in the end, he and his wife decided to fold up their stroller, carry their son in their arms, and take the escalators down.
"We also asked nicely and reproached a few people to give way... but really, they all pretended not to hear us and nobody wanted to step out of the lifts," the father added.
The tweet went viral over the past week, garnering over 10,000 retweets and hundreds of replies from social media users who had, sadly and surprisingly, opposing views on the matter
While many said it was an obvious answer of common courtesy, several argued against them.
The first critic was pointed out by Ameen himself. The Twitter user had asked him why he decided to have a child in the first place. Many others also asked the parent why he chose to go out to a busy shopping mall if he was going to complain.
"If you're tired, don't bring your children out during peak hours, stupid. You already knew that it was going to be difficult and tiring, but you still did it. Nobody forced you to tire yourself out. So face it. Don't be 'emo' and put the blame on others for not treating you like a VIP," criticised a Twitter user.
Image via Twitter
Another agreed and said the family should not have used the shopping mall's main centre court lifts, which are slow and always crowded.
They said, "I'm just being real about the situation. If it were me, I wouldn't [get out of the lift]. I don't owe you anything. Unless you ask nicely, maybe we can work something out, but you are assuming people will give way to you, that is your fault entirely."
Image via Twitter
A single person replied, "I'm a normal human being too, I want to be quick and I tire easily. But I'll line up and wait my turn to enter the lift. Don't think I don't get tired just because I'm single. The older we get, the faster we get tired."
Image via Twitter
The unempathetic responses shocked many others who said it was common courtesy to give way to families with young children and strollers, the elderly, and the disabled.
A netizen pointed out that there were also signages around the shopping mall directing the public to do so.
Image via @KakchikAshaKC (Twitter)
"My heart is so broken reading the replies and quote retweets here, as if there isn't common sense anymore. Hello! We should definitely exit the lift or do not go in if we see another who is more in need," said a Twitter user.
"There are also signages around that ask us to give way to the elderly and parents with children. Astaghfirullah al'azim. Sad!"
Image via Twitter
Many other parents also empathised with Ameen, saying that they too had faced the same issue.
"Every time I line up, I see 80% of people will be young couples and able-bodied persons. There's been too many times that I've spoken up for people to let the elderly enter first too."
Image via Twitter
Another Twitter user also spelt out some common courtesies that they hoped Malaysians would emulate, including giving up their seat to the needy, stopping their car at a zebra crossing if they are driving, and holding the door open if they know someone is right behind.
They said, "I followed my dad's footsteps and my child will follow mine. This is how we make the world a kinder place."
Image via Twitter
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
This is not the first time the issue has been brought up.
In 2019, a mother also lamented having to use the escalator with her child in a stroller after nobody gave way at the lifts:
Last month, on another topic of common courtesy, Malaysians discussed whether we should clean up after dining out:
Unfortunately, Malaysians still have much to learn about civic mindedness:
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