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A crowd is a large group of people packed closely together in a
confined space such as a stadium, supermarket, or restaurant. In such
situations, personal movement is restricted, and one often has to take
precautions to avoid being crushed.
I’ve been in many types of crowds, and to be honest, they are rarely enjoyable.
Crowded places are usually noisy, hot, and suffocating. Whenever I find myself
in one, all I want is to leave as quickly as possible.
Once, I had the unfortunate experience of entering a departmental store during a
mega sale. A group of kiasu shoppers were already waiting impatiently at
the entrance. As soon as the doors opened, a wave of people surged forward and
pushed me inside. The scene at the men’s section was chaotic—shoppers were
digging through piles of clothes, pulling out shirts and trousers with wild
enthusiasm. I even witnessed an old man and a young man arguing over a pair of
pants. Meanwhile, the queue at the cashier stretched endlessly. I eventually
squeezed my way out of the store, empty-handed and frustrated.
Another unpleasant experience was waiting for the Putra LRT during peak hours.
The platform was packed, and when the train arrived, people shoved and pushed
their way in, trying to board the already overcrowded carriage. Some stepped on
others' feet, causing tempers to flare. Angry passengers shouted insults at the
inconsiderate ones, creating a stressful and tense atmosphere.
Crowds can also become dangerous, especially during major events like football
matches. In some stadiums, overexcited fans have been known to throw bottles,
shout vulgarities, or even storm the pitch to confront referees. At times, chaos
breaks out, leading to stampedes that harm or even kill innocent spectators.
However, not all crowds are unpleasant. There are orderly ones too. For example,
I once visited the Damansara Immigration Department to renew my passport.
Despite the large number of people, the crowd was calm and well-behaved.
Everyone waited patiently, either reading or chatting quietly while waiting for
their numbers to be called. It was a surprisingly pleasant experience.
That said, I generally avoid crowds whenever I can. Whether they’re calm or
chaotic, being in a crowded place makes me feel uneasy and uncomfortable—not to
mention the unpleasant smells and stale air. Unless I absolutely have no choice,
you won’t find me in a crowded place. |
