Elderly woman had reportedly hit passenger with bag over refusal to give up priority seat in Taiwan
A passenger was seen kicking an elderly woman on Taiwan’s subway system during a reported dispute over a priority seat.
The violent act was in retaliation for the woman repeatedly hitting the passenger with her bag, according to a now-deleted viral video originally posted on Threads.
Source: @queen7_910 on Threads
Elderly woman seen deliberately hitting passenger with bag
In the clip, the elderly woman, who was standing while carrying multiple bags and an umbrella, was seen deliberately hitting the seated passenger with one of her bags.
Source: @queen7_910 on Threads
In response, the passenger calmly handed a shopping bag to someone for safekeeping.
Source: @queen7_910 on Threads
Just as the elderly woman was about to hit the passenger again, the passenger stood up and aimed a swift kick at the woman, causing her to fall backwards onto the empty seats behind her.
Source: @queen7_910 on Threads
Stunned, she was helped by other commuters, but soon stood up again and stared at the offending passenger, saying, “I want to call the police!”
The passenger then spoke to her in a low voice, saying in English, “You can try one more time.”
Elderly woman in Taiwan says she wanted to sit in the priority seat
When an elderly man approached the elderly woman, she was heard telling him that she was mad at the passenger, as she had wanted to sit in the priority seat.
The senior also said that she was carrying a lot of things and wanted to hang some of them next to the priority seat.
However, the passenger loudly retorted in Mandarin that they wanted to sit there, and she should have driven a car in that case.
Source: @queen7_910 on Threads
The elderly woman soon left, after saying:
Oh, so he’s a man; now I realise he’s a scary person.
The altercation took place on Monday (29 Sept) afternoon on the Taipei Metro, reported Taiwan media platform ETToday.
The elderly woman had reportedly insisted on sitting in the priority seat, despite there being other seats available.
She kept hitting the passenger with her bag, demanding that they give up the seat.
Netizens criticise both elderly woman & passenger
After the video went viral, it sparked a heated online debate.
Many netizens criticised the elderly woman’s behaviour, with some pointing out that she seemed to have targeted the passenger because she believed they were a woman.
Translation: Wait, so she stopped causing trouble once she realized he was a man? Seems like she only targets women, huh?
Source: Threads
One user recalled being pregnant and having the elderly woman hit her with an umbrella, wanting her seat.
Translation: Was it on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line? Same bag, same umbrella… If I remember correctly, I think I encountered this grandma, too. I was 20 weeks pregnant, and someone offered me their seat, but the grandma hit me with her umbrella to take my seat, saying: “Are you fat or pregnant? I can’t tell”
Source: Threads
Some netizens also slammed the passenger’s response, pointing out that while they were provoked, it was not appropriate to kick her.
Translation: Even if it’s the elderly woman’s fault, a young person kicking an elder like that is really disrespectful. Plus, you’re the one taking the seat!
Source: Threads
Police to identify & summon individuals
Taipei Metro police told ETToday that they were aware of the incident and would review CCTV footage to identify the two individuals.
By fighting on the Metro, the two had violated Taiwan’s Social Order Maintenance Act, it said.
They would both be summoned to provide statements, with each of them facing a maximum fine of NT$18,000 (S$760).
Priority seats for passengers with genuine needs
Taipei Metro police also told Liberty Times that priority seats on trains are designated according to the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act.
They are intended for all passengers with genuine physical or medical needs, not specifically for the elderly.
They advised passengers who encounter disputes on the Metro to remain calm and avoid confrontation, and press the emergency button or report the incident via phone.
Also read: Woman kicks 66-year-old passenger in the abdomen during MRT seat dispute, fined S$4K
Woman kicks 66-year-old passenger in the abdomen during MRT seat dispute, fined S$4K
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Featured image adapted from @queen7_910 on Threads.
