People on the internet will flip out about absolutely anything.
For instance, when you look at an image like this, what do you see?
Reader: Uh, I see a lot of eggs…
Ok good, what else do you see?
Reader: Uh, I see a man and wife carrying a large number of trays of eggs, which they later drop all over the floor
Ok, very good, so what is your conclusion?
Reader: Why are you talking to me like I’m a six-year-old? Well, I have absolutely no evidence but I’m going to go ahead and assume that this couple has been HOARDING EGGS, SO GOOD FOR THEM! THAT’S WHAT THEY GET FOR PANIC BUYING!
Well, sure, in light of Malaysia’s lockdown and FairPrice’s purchase limits, it does look like these people have been hoarding.
But you’re forgetting one very important fact; we have no evidence to support this belief. All we have is a picture. And if you’re one of those who lambasted this poor couple online just because you thought they were hoarding, well, prepare to feel a truckload of guilt.
POFMA & Police Report Made Over FB Post About Man ‘Hoarding’ Eggs
Just yesterday, we wrote an article that provoked several guilt trips all over Singapore; the man in the image is allegedly a stall owner in school.
The man had to get his hands on as many eggs as possible, because school was starting today (23 March).
How do we know this? Well, a friend of the couple’s son/daughter made a Facebook post, explaining everything.
In case you can’t read the tiny print, here’s what the post says:
These photos were shared many times after being shared by a page.
Folks in photos are my friend’s parents. Just sharing so everyone won’t end up mistaking these honest and hardworking folks
My friend’s parents couldn’t get eggs because everywhere were sold out due to hoarders and finally they found a supplier who could sell the eggs in time for the new school term to open. But because of someone who shared the photos without understanding their story, they have been branded as hoarders when the truth is, they needed the eggs for cooking delicious and healthy meals for the kids in school.
Yes, this man was shamed because people assumed he was a hoarder when he was actually just a stall owner trying to make a living.
If you’re not crying or feeling an unhealthy amount of rage, you’re probably not human.
But don’t worry, someone is doing something about it.
POFMA & Police Report Made
Daryl Gay, the boyfriend of the couple’s daughter, shared another Facebook post where he slammed netizens and “keyboard warriors” for making assumptions and “sensationalising” the story.
Gay said it was a “disgusting act” to simply stand aside and watch the unfortunate incident unfold without offering help, but claimed it was even more “despicable” to spread falsehoods online.
According to Mothership, he said that he has since filed a police report, as well as a report with the POFMA office.
He added that he and his girlfriend were thankful to those who had helped to report the Facebook posts, and urged people to have more empathy during this period.
Yes, empathy. It’s something we could all practise a little more. If our first instinct when we see an old couple dropping eggs all over the floor is to laugh at or abuse them, then there must be something seriously wrong with us.
Reader: Ya, I can’t believe some Singaporeans would assume such things
You were one of them, dear reader.
Reader: Sure, but people make mistakes, right? Have empathy, dear writer.
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