SINGAPORE: Aunties and uncles are rather notorious in Singapore for blasting videos on the MRT, cutting queues, behaving entitled, and often disregarding social norms that most people try to follow in public spaces.
But recently, some locals have started sharing stories that show another side of them, one that’s kind, thoughtful, and surprisingly heartwarming.
In a Reddit thread called “Unexpected Acts of Kindness in Singapore,” people recounted personal experiences where members of the older generation went out of their way to help strangers.
One story came from a person who had forgotten to bring cash while queuing at a well-known Youtiao store in Kovan Market & Food Centre. Feeling embarrassed and ready to leave empty-handed, they were stunned when “several aunties and uncles immediately offered to pay for their food.”
Another contributor shared how an elderly man went above and beyond after finding their lost wallet.
Instead of just handing it over to the authorities or leaving it somewhere safe, the uncle personally made the trip to the owner’s home using the address written inside. “He went all the way to my address to return it to me personally; I’m forever grateful to him,” they said.
A third account came from a Singaporean who had just returned home from the United States after a long stay abroad. Struggling to lift a large suitcase onto a bus, they were visibly having a tough time when an older man stepped in to lend a hand.
“An uncle came and really helped me out and told me to get a seat and be careful,” they recalled. “This is such an endearing and heartlandish moment and what I missed about some really simple and genuine people in Singapore.”
A fourth shared that during their graduation ceremony, an uncle came over to help him with his tie. “It was a nice dad of another graduate,” he wrote. “I was struggling to do my tie, and the staff was unable to help as well. Will never forget his kindness!”
A fifth individual recounted that an auntie once came to his rescue when he was short on cash. “Over ten years ago, I went down to Toastbox to get my fave ham and cheese toast, only to realise I was short on 10 cents. I planned to walk all the way back to the office and come back with it, but one auntie very kindly and generously gave me 10 cents. It’s such a kind gesture for a stranger to do that, leh.”
In other news, a mother took to social media to share that a man occupying an MRT priority seat mocked her when she asked for a seat while carrying her child.
Sharing her experience in the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Tuesday (Sep 23), she explained that she had “politely requested” if she could have the seat, as she was struggling to balance with her child in her arms.
Read more: ‘Are you pregnant or what’: Mother carrying child says man refused to give up MRT priority seat
