An old man blocks a bus by standing in its path just because he is not offered a seat. Another old man slaps a girl in the face because she doesn't get up to offer her seat to him. A group of passengers angry at the delay of their flight rush onto the tarmac and block the runway, preventing other planes from taking off. Several passengers not satisfied with the explanation of the officer for the delay of their flight force open three emergency exits of the plane ignoring the protests of the other crew members. Are these the acts of responsible citizens?

The rampant acts of corruption of those in power and the widening gap between the haves and have-nots are indeed annoying. Ill-functioning social institutions and miscarriages of justice may be pushing people into a bad mood or forcing them to lose their temper. And their dissatisfaction with reality may be clouding their judgment when it comes to dealing with a given situation.

Instead of trying to become responsible citizens, such people expect a change for the better in society. They will not behave properly until they get all the conveniences they want.

But they often fail to bear in mind that, things will only worsen if an increasing number of people share their mentality and indulge in the same behavior. They do not realize that, the behavior of every individual is crucial for changing the social environment for the better.

And they do not understand that, given their ill behavior, they have no standing to ask what others can do for them and what society can provide them with.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily. zhuyuan@chinadaily.com.cn