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From returning our trays<\/a>\u00a0after a meal to keeping to one side on escalators, there are little things many of us do without thinking twice.<\/p>\n But to some foreigners, it’s these everyday habits that make Singapore feel like a more considerate society.<\/p>\n A Xiaohongshu<\/a> user from China who now lives here recently noticed commuters placing their bags<\/a>\u00a0by their feet on the\u00a0MRT<\/a>, even though there were plenty of empty seats.<\/p>\n She was impressed that no one used the spare seats for their belongings.<\/p>\n “I noticed a small detail on the MRT in Singapore…Even when there were plenty of empty seats nearby, people still kept their backpacks by their feet. The seats remained unoccupied, yet no one used them for their bags.”<\/p>\n “The best kind of consideration doesn\u2019t come from being watched or told what to do. It comes from simply thinking about the strangers around you,” she added.<\/p>\n Other foreigners living in Singapore agreed, with one writing: “One of the reasons Singapore feels so comfortable to live in is its sense of ‘rules’ and order.”<\/p>\n Some said these unspoken rules make everyday life less stressful because people generally know what’s expected of them.<\/p>\n Singaporeans chimed in too.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just how it is here, everyone follows the rules,\u201d wrote one.<\/p>\n Another noted that even during the evening rush, commuters may be in a hurry but generally remain orderly, calling it \u201cquite impressive”.<\/p>\n One foreign commenter attributed such behaviour partly to Singapore’s strict rules and enforcement over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cThe strict penalties and enforcement over the decades have helped shape this culture. Back home, the penalties are too lenient, so people can benefit from breaking the rules, which only encourages more bad behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n Others compared it with experiences overseas, where they had seen passengers leave bags on seats despite people standing nearby.<\/p>\n One commenter simply summed it up: \u201cOnce you\u2019ve seen the world, you know what true civility looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n Not everyone thought Singapore deserved special praise, though.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t seen anyone in China breaking the rules either,\u201d wrote one Chinese netizen, while another asked: \u201cIsn\u2019t that normal behaviour?\u201d<\/p>\n Others pointed out that Singapore has its share of queue-cutters, loud commuters and, yes, people who still use their bags to chope seats.<\/p>\n So is keeping your bag off the seat particularly Singaporean, or simply basic commuter etiquette?<\/p>\n Either way, Bag-Down Benny would definitely approve.<\/p>\n Photos:\u00a0\u65b0\u52a0\u5761\u966a\u8bfb\u5988\u6d77\u71d5\/ Xiaohongshu<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n