Thus spake the kiasu Singaporean

The train slithers into the station with a hiss of engine. Like moths attracted to a globe of light, the commuters rush pell-mell to await the opening of the train doors. I am no exception.

I push aside an old lady with a hideous coiffure that partly obscures my delectable vision of an SYT (sweet young thing). I imperceptibly nudge a man in executive wear who has somehow unfairly pushed his way to my front. Hey pesky kid, get away from me, I mentally yell at a boy in school uniform. There is a hive of activity as my fellow commuters and I congregate expectantly in the demarcation zone where we are NOT supposed to step into - as it is an out-of-bounds zone designated to allow alighting passengers get out first.

But we do not care. Our primordial instinct is to beat, push, jostle, shove, body-check our way into the cabin - all to secure an empty seat which could be like an oasis in the desert especially if you are trying to board a train during morning peak hours.

A fight ensues as those egressing the train face the immoveable wall of those who are struggling to enter the train. No holds barred. Sweat, tear and grime rubberstamp the inevitable and invariable morning ritual - the simultaneous stampede to board and exit the train.

If you manage to survive unscathed from the confrontation between exiting passengers and your brethren who were fighting to enter the train, you have to quickly scan your eyes to search for that oasis of a seat.

If Fortune smiles on you and you manage to get an empty seat, the next natural thing to do is to pretend to close your eyes and fall into a pseudo-sleep. This secures you peace of mind for the rest of your journey for under the pretext of sleep, you would not be able to know that there is a pregnant woman/visually-handicapped man/elderly lady standing in front of you who need a seat imperatively.

Social grace be cast out of the window and let me rest in peace during my train journey! Tom, Dick or Harry beside me, can do his gracious Singaporean incarnate act, for all I care.

It is the survival of the fittest - when it comes to boarding the MRT train.