Recently, a photo of a foreign passenger eating with his hands in a Shenzhen Metro carriage has sparked heated discussion. Some netizens believe this violates the metro’s no-eating rule and is uncivilized, while others question why local passengers are often overlooked when eating steamed buns and drinking soy milk on the metro. In response, Shenzhen Metro stated that no abnormalities were found during the inspection that day, but the no-eating rule applies equally to all passengers without exception.

The incident sparked a deeper discussion about the issues of civility and rule enforcement in public spaces. Many people admitted to having eaten on the subway while in a hurry, yet the rules have long been difficult to strictly enforce. Public opinion also became polarized, with some criticizing the foreigner’s behavior more harshly, while others accused society of applying double standards to locals and foreigners.

The commentary points out that this is not a clash of cultural habits, but rather a matter of public order and mutual respect. Internationally, Singapore uses strict fines to ensure the cleanliness of its subway system; Tokyo, on the other hand, relies on self-discipline to avoid causing trouble for others.

Overall, this controversy reflects that there is still room for improvement in society’s efforts to raise public awareness of civility. Following rules is not just a formality, but also a matter of consideration for strangers. Next time before boarding a vehicle, perhaps pause for a second to consider whether you can wait a while before eating that food.