What is the controversy about the slogan of Wuhan double-decker bus?

On August 2th, on the inner wall of Wuhan double-decker bus, the driver wrote a warning sign with a brush: "The old, the weak, the sick and the disabled are forbidden to go upstairs at their own risk", and some passengers felt "uncomfortable". It is learned that a few drivers of Bus No.16 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province hand-written such a reminder, which is also out of kindness.

There are certain safety risks when double-decker buses go up and down stairs. "Old, weak, sick and disabled are forbidden to go upstairs" originally had a good intention, but it was criticized and questioned by the citizens. Why? With the increasing awareness of public rights, blunt, cold and vulgar warning slogans are not only difficult to get passengers' understanding and recognition, but will cause their disgust and resistance.

In the risk society with increasing uncertainties, elderly people and passengers with children are prone to safety accidents when they get on and off the double-decker bus, which leads to friction, disputes and interest games between passengers, bus drivers and bus companies. In order to prepare for a rainy day and avoid "spreading great events", a few bus drivers handwritten a warning slogan "Old, weak, sick and disabled are forbidden to go upstairs" from the perspective of risk prevention.

brummer, an American sociologist, believes that the influence of things on individual social behavior often lies in symbolic meaning, and the symbolic meaning of things comes from the interaction between individuals and others. "Old, weak, sick and disabled are forbidden to go upstairs". Although there is no voice or expression, the bus driver has a silent symbolic interaction with the passengers. However, this warning slogan has been ignored and ignored by some passengers because of their interests and emotional needs.

The same action goal could have been achieved with a softer figure and more meticulous methods, but a few bus drivers adopted a simple and rude "No going upstairs for the elderly, the sick and the disabled". On the one hand, the disadvantaged groups also have the legitimate need to take seats. When there are no seats on the first floor of the bus or no one is willing to give up their seats, they "by going up one flight of stairs" also have the helplessness and hardship of "having to do so"; On the other hand, even from the perspective of risk prevention, passengers should be gently persuaded rather than rigidly prohibited.

In today's diversified interests and values, different people will inevitably have different understandings of the same warning slogan. Take the "special seat for the elderly, the sick and the disabled" on the bus as an example. Although this system design is full of humanistic care of "compensation for the weak", it still causes some people's right sensitivity and identity anxiety about labeling and stigmatization. They think it is better to change it to "special seat for love" or learn from the experience of Taiwan Province as "universal seat"-it not only benefits those who need it more, but also protects their dignity. Despite the good intentions, the audience's feelings are ignored, and the goal justice is ignored. The language is less soft and warm, and the details are not considered comprehensively. "The old, the weak, the sick and the disabled are forbidden to go upstairs" is self-absorbed and narcissistic, which will inevitably lead to the marginalization of lack of applause.

The bus is an open and flowing public space, and the warning signs witness the temperature of a city. Risk prevention is beyond reproach, but "the old, the weak and the sick are forbidden to go upstairs" can be presented in a softer and more detailed way. After all, "kindness" can't stop at talking to itself, but let passengers really accept and recognize it emotionally and psychologically.