The rebranding of “compassion seats” (博愛座) as “priority seating” (優先席) is a move toward clarity — a name rightly chosen, a concept aptly conveyed. With this change, supplemented by clear guidelines and sustained public awareness, the controversies once tied to these designated seats might gradually fade.
For many visitors to Taipei, the MRT leaves a lasting impression — not only for its cleanliness and order, but also for its compassion seats. Even during peak hours, these seats often remain vacant, reserved for those truly in need.
Yet in recent years, disputes over these seats have tarnished their original goodwill. Some who appear young and healthy — but might have needs that are not visible — find themselves shamed or even harassed for not yielding to elderly passengers. What begins as moral judgement escalates into verbal clashes, sometimes even physical altercations.
The term “compassion” is an inherent expression, appearing in classical texts more than two millennia ago. It calls for love beyond oneself — beyond family and friends — extending to strangers in a spirit of universal care.
Historically, “compassion” also translated the French revolutionary ideal of fraternity, or brotherhood, alongside liberty or freedom and equality. Here, it embodies the sentiment that “all under heaven are brothers.”
According to Taiwan’s Revised Mandarin Chinese Dictionary, a compassion seat is “a priority space for the elderly, infirm, pregnant, disabled or others in need, typically located near the doors of MRT trains, buses or other public transit vehicles.” This definition has evolved — years ago it was simply “seats near bus doors reserved for the elderly, women, children and the disabled.”
The concept originated in the West. During my doctoral studies in the US in the 1990s, buses and subways featured priority seating — functionally identical to Taiwan’s compassion seats, with the key word being priority. That is, those with needs come first; if none are present, others can sit.
Also called courtesy seating, these spots rely on consideration, not compulsion.
Compassion is an ideal. Courtesy reflects cultivation. Priority is practical. Returning to the essence of priority helps resolve disputes. Yet habits run deep — even renamed, many might still avoid these seats, wary of judgement. Changing this requires not just advocacy, but time.
Hugo Tseng holds a doctorate in linguistics, and is a lexicographer and former chair of the Soochow University English Department.
KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) recent visit to Beijing and her upcoming visit to Washington will serve as a high-level test of her diplomatic mettle. In Beijing, Cheng was received with symbolic gestures, a warm reception, and high-level access. In Washington, she will receive far less pomp and far sharper questions about the KMT’s vision for the future of Taiwan. Her challenge will be to persuade Washington that the KMT’s engagement with China can coexist with strong deterrence. Cheng’s April 7-12 visit to mainland China coincided with an intense period of conflict in Iran. Despite the strategic significance of Cheng’s trip,
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent the vast Asian chemicals industry into a tailspin. Deprived of the likes of Qatari natural gas and Saudi Arabian oil, the region’s fertilizer and plastics plants are slowing production or even shutting down. Everywhere except China, that is. In petrochemicals, China is unique. As well as a traditional industry that uses oil and gas as feedstock, it has parallel output that relies on its abundant domestic coal. Unsurprisingly, India and other regional powers want to copy and paste the Chinese method. This would not be easy — or climate friendly. The
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto says he knows how to fix the problems facing Indonesia. Yet his economic mismanagement and authoritarian tendencies are steering the nation toward a familiar mix of currency instability and political chaos. The world’s fourth-most populous nation risks reversing the hard-won democratic and business reforms that came after the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. At that time, the rupiah collapsed and the political upheaval that followed forced former president Haji Mohamed Suharto from power. Prabowo’s administration is ignoring similar warning signs. That disconnect was apparent in a national address on Wednesday, when Prabowo projected the swagger that has
“Of course you can choose not to be Taiwanese, just do not stay here,” chairwoman of Taipei 101 operator Taipei Financial Center Corp Janet Chia (賈永婕) said in an online interview with local entertainer Tai Chih-yuan (邰智源), triggering intense discussion on social media, with politicians across party lines weighing in. In the interview, which was aired on May 14, Chia and Tai’s discussion over a meal in Taipei 101 covered Chia’s career change from entertainer to chairwoman and US climber Alex Honnold’s free solo climb up the Taipei 101 building. During the interview, Chia said, “Being on this land, we
RSS