Not long ago, I witnessed a scene on the subway that revealed just how divided people can be over simple yet deeply personal matters.
A young mother entered the carriage pushing a stroller. Her baby was peacefully asleep at first, but soon he woke and began crying loudly. Embarrassed, she softly said,
— Sorry, he’s just hungry.
Without waiting for him to settle, she draped a blanket over herself and started breastfeeding right there. Most passengers reacted discreetly: some looked out the window, others pretended not to notice. It seemed the moment would pass quietly.
Then, an elderly woman nearby suddenly spoke up, her voice sharp and accusatory:
— What are you doing? There are men here! Aren’t you ashamed?
The mother answered gently,
— My baby is hungry. This is natural.
The older woman scoffed angrily,
— Natural? Back in our day, women wouldn’t be seen in public when pregnant! We had decency. You young people have no shame or respect. It’s disgusting!
Trying to stay calm, the mother said,
— Then don’t watch.
But the elderly woman only raised her voice, waving her hands and drawing the attention of the entire carriage. What started as a quiet moment had turned into a public spectacle, thick with tension.
And then, something unexpected happened.