The other day, when taking the subway in Beijing, I saw several youths take all the seats while three elderly people stood nearby. The youths were either busy playing with their mobile phones or sleeping, pretending not to see the seniors. One of the youths even said: "The elderly deserve to stand if they can only afford to take crowded subways." Where is the traditional Chinese virtue that we should respect our elders? I hope those young people will receive the same harsh treatment when they are old.

Gao Kuli, via e-mail

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(China Daily 02/18/2013 page9)