Humour on the train is a welcome change

As reported in “SMRT unveils driver behind humorous announcements” (Dec 10, Channel NewsAsia), train captain Tan Ming Hui’s perky announcements are a welcome change to the usual, mundane train announcements. I applaud his efforts to weave humour into our lives.

In the past, the pace of life was slower. Now, people are so engrossed in building their career and trying to balance it with meeting their family’s multiple needs that there is hardly time for small talk or common courtesy.

People are finding it hard to interact with their neighbours, colleagues, friends and strangers. On the train on Monday mornings, glum-looking office workers seem to be dreading the day ahead. Many are glued to their phones, iPads or other gadgets.

The benefits of humour are many: It helps us relax, reduce stress, bond with people, strengthen our immune system, boost energy, diminish pain, increase happiness and, in the case of couples, promote intimacy. Laughter is a powerful antidote to conflict.

Humour has the power to heal and renew the elderly sick and even people with mental illness, for it supports both physical and emotional health. Carers who are stressed out from looking after their loved ones would benefit from it.

Humour should, I believe, not only be slapstick but also have an intellectual touch, and Mr Tan’s light-hearted comments are just that.

I hope his humour will infect commuters, so that they enjoy a good laugh and the train commute becomes a more enjoyable experience, even worth looking forward to every day.