An elderly man in China drew criticism after forcibly sitting on a female passenger’s lap on the Shanghai Metro, ignoring repeated pleas for him to stop.
According to Taiwan’s World Journal, the incident occurred on 28 Oct during the evening rush hour on Metro Line 9 near Qibao Station.
It was reported that the man entered a crowded carriage and demanded that the young female passenger give up her seat, but she refused.
In response, he grabbed the handrails and sat directly on the woman’s lap, pressing his body against her while she was talking on the phone.
Source: @大兰州 on Weibo
In footage shared online, the man wearing a red cap and blue jacket could be seen half-sitting between the woman and the male passenger next to her.
Both the woman and the man tried to push him off, but he continued to smile and lean back. Some passengers reportedly shouted at him to stop, but he ignored them.
According to witnesses, other passengers had offered him a priority seat before the incident, but the man refused, targeting the young woman instead.
Eventually, the harassed woman called the police, who arrived at the next stop and escorted the man off the train.
Source: @情书撰写指南 on Weibo
On 1 Nov, Shanghai Metro officials confirmed that the incident had been reported and that authorities were investigating.
Legal experts said the man’s actions may constitute forcible molestation under Chinese law, which carries a penalty of up to 10 days’ detention or more for serious cases.
The video quickly became one of the most discussed topics on the Chinese social media Weibo, with many condemning the man’s behaviour and rejecting claims that his age excused his actions.
Source: @大兰州 on Weibo
One comment remarked that “being old is not a free pass for indecency”, while another said that what he did was “obviously harassment”.
One netizen even suggested that the old man be banned from entering the subway and listed as an unwelcome person.
Translation: Shanghai Metro should ban him based on his ID number, prohibit him from entering the subway, and list him as an unwelcome person.
Source: Weibo
Authorities have yet to release further details on whether the man will face criminal charges.
Also read: Man allegedly harasses female bus passenger, shows middle finger before alighting at Geylang
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Featured image adapted from @大兰州 on Weibo.