Illustrations: Peter C. Espina/GT



When rage and something we deem unfair are directed at us, we feel naturally angry. It is up to individuals to decide whether they should allow this behavior to spill out into the public domain or to let the traits that set us apart from animals get the better of us: reason, morality and civic sense. The Chinese seem to be so easily provoked these days.



I saw two girls involved in a nasty fight on the subway. They were pulling each other's hair while hurling the choicest abuses over something as trivial as a seat. They created quite a scene with people in the carriage watching with trepidation. Some laughed and one intervened only to be told to mind his own business. Some shook their heads and muttered, "Normal. That's how it is."



But is it?



When violence is used to resolve issues and anger is employed to show strength - isn't there something wrong? As the old Chinese saying goes, "A gentleman uses his tongue, not his fists." It's dog-eat-dog situation. No one backs down because hey, you think "people bully the weak and fear the strong" so I need to show strength through anger, swear words and violence. No one gets an advantage over me.



Quarrels are easy to start as people are easily provoked and anger flies. I wonder why? Never mind we are in public and should show our best behavior, let's fight over (often) something quite trivial: seats, violation of personal space, pushing and shoving in queues, arguing over a few cents, punching the bus driver. This is tragic.



Looking at that clip from the Chongqing bus tragedy made my blood boil. Assaulting the driver made him lose control and caused the tragedy killing all on board. It should be a wake-up call for this epidemic of anger we are facing. Modern times have an anger problem and people don't deserve to die for somebody's rage.



What happened? What are we panicking about? Is it because we are becoming more and more discontented, desperate and impatient? Is the rat-race to grab resources so that we are not left out? Is it the fight to be first in everything? It is dangerous when people feel that it is normal or right to use anger and rudeness to get what they want and worse to use it to protect themselves.



Using brute force to solve issues and disagreements has always been against the Confucian tradition. Virtues and civility were celebrated and cordial exchanges, even in a discourse, were encouraged. Now, people take matters in their own hands. They shout and punch to get noticed. No one has the patience or time to hold that vitriol from spilling out. Rage is contagious and it is easy to get caught up in this cycle of rude behavior either due to this mad dash to be ahead in everything or as a way to protect oneself from bullies.



A few rude "giant babies" shouldn't ruin the image of an entire nation. It is wrong when those who speak up and offer help are laughed at. It is even more chilling when people become warriors behind their keyboards.



As much as we all need to vent out and are prone to anger in this fast-paced high-pressure world, we cannot use anger to put blame and our interest above all else. Might is not right.



The author is a freelance writer. She was born in China, raised in Australia, educated in China, Australia and France. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn