Moving homes is a bit of work. It always requires a bit of a purge, which I quite enjoy. We don’t have a lot of stuff, but it’s always a good time to go through the things we have and deem the importance of each item, or lack of.

In my second round of item purge, I didn’t collect a lot to take for donation drop-off, but what there was, I did want it out of my way. So I tossed things in a big Ikea bag, grabbed my PMD (Personal Mobility Device) to ride home on, and ordered myself a taxi for the ride to the donation center.

Once the taxi arrived, I didn’t expect help with my items. It isn’t a consistent practice here in Singapore, so I didn’t expect the driver to help me out. I didn’t need help anyway.

After taxi uncle popped the trunk, I put the Ikea bag in first, pushing it to the back of the trunk, then folded my PMD and was about to place it in the trunk in front of the bag. I knew it would fit because I had done this before, and I knew the bag would add some stability for the bag and my PMD in the trunk. Since taxi drivers are known for their abrupt stop-start method with the gas pedal, I didn’t want things rolling around.

As I’m placing my PMD in the trunk, uncle gets out of his car and removes the Ikea bag from the trunk and places it in the front seat of the car instead, stating, “Much better in the front seat.”

I took a breath, clenched my jaw a little, and began the thought journey about why his way to pack was better than mine.  I simply responded, “Sure, thanks!” 

I got in the backseat, confirming for him my Point B when he asked, then sat in silence for the next 10 minutes.

As we drove, I wondered about his motive for moving my already well-placed bag. Was it because:

1. He knew his trunk capacity well and really thought that the bag and the PMD would never fit.
2. He thought I’ve never packed a trunk before.
3. He was just being a helpful taxi uncle.
4. I’m woman.
5. I’m 20 younger.
6. I’m a foreigner.

Feel free to make your own decision, but in my mind, I knew exactly why he moved that Ikea bag.

Photo by Juan Pablo Arenas on Pexels.com