I REFER to last Thursday's report, 'Bad manners make commuters see red'.

As a teenager, I agree that some teenagers are not gracious. However, not all teenagers turn a blind eye to elderly or physically challenged commuters looking for seats.

I do not deny that some teenagers use priority seats to do their homework or read. Doing homework on public transport is efficient use of time.

Some teenagers spend many hours travelling between school and home. It makes sense for them to study during their travel. While doing so, they may be oblivious to their surroundings and people who need a seat - causing a misunderstanding that they are being ungracious.

As for teens playing loud music in trains, it is not that they are ungracious. They do not realise that the music is loud or they are used to listening at that volume. Hence, they think people around them cannot hear their music.

There are cases where teenagers do not move to the end of the bus. This is because moving to the end of the bus makes it harder for them to alight. In addition, teenagers carry heavy school bags, and would have to push and shove their way out of the bus.

Therefore, not all teenagers mean to be ungracious, it is just that they are unaware. For instance, there are teenagers who will give up their seat once they notice an elderly passenger or a pregnant woman boarding the train.

I hope there can be more understanding of teenagers.

There should be a cabin for those who require priority seats, as in Japan where there is a cabin reserved for women during peak hours.

Ester Lee Pei Xuan (Miss)

This article was first published in The Straits Times.