A seat-offering reward, in this way, is not the right way to do things. Given this, the carrying out of this initiative will not have a good ending.

Li Hongjun (Jiefang Daily): Seat-offering, only when it is done on a voluntary basis, can be seen as caring behavior. Most people never expect rewards when they lend a helping hand to others. In this sense, a tiny gift is meaningless to a kind-hearted person who is always willing to give up an occupied seat to those in need of it.

The elevation of the social moral integrity calls for efforts in all facets of social life. Incentives, either in cash or in kind, cannot work alone. We recognize some people's initiative to reward seat-offering on buses, as this proposal reflects efforts to revitalize the fine tradition of the Chinese nation. However, when there is a trend to experiment with this idea throughout the country, it largely indicates a worrisome situation that our society seems to have lost confidence in the strength of morality.

Money can bring participation

Liang Jianfang (Nanfang Daily City News): The fact that fewer and fewer passengers would offer seats to people in need on buses is a reflection of worsening social morality; but from another perspective, growing complaints that people who offer seats do not even get a "thank you" may have worsened the situation.

"Going after benefits" is part of human nature. Take blood donations for example. State regulations that allow blood donors and their lineal relatives the use of blood free of charge when needed undoubtedly serves as an incentive factor.

We always focus on whether the motivation of an action is lofty or not, while paying little attention to the results. People sing praises of the "selfless" deeds of others, but it is "help," instead of "selflessness," that really matters. When it comes to the practice of rewarding seat-offering on buses, the money is actually an incentive rather than a decisive factor. If people can get economic benefits from doing good deeds, we can certainly expect it will play a bigger role in building up public awareness of "helping others" rather than just the ongoing call for "voluntary service."

Yang Jinxi (hlj.rednet.cn): As a famous saying in China goes, "A drop received in need will be repaid with a whole river." The initiative to reward seat-offering in fact advertises that those who choose to sacrifice personal comfort and convenience should be respected and rewarded.

Even when there are people offering seats just for the rewards, it doesn't change the essence of this behavior, that is to help people in need to get a seat. Neither does it damage the nature of morality, which can be rewarded by money.

Xi Xuchu (www.northeast.cn): It is right to help others without asking for economic returns, but getting some rewards is not immoral. It is normal that different people have different value criteria. When fewer and fewer people have the inclination to offer seats, why not introduce a seat-offering reward initiative that can ensure those really in need can be helped?

Most people offer seats without expecting any reward. We should give priority to the welfare of the disadvantaged group, and regard the present moral standards in an objective way.

Tian Xiaofeng (www.dahe.cn): We must recognize that market forces are very effective in regulating people's behavioral patterns. The initiative to reward seat-offering is a new attempt to revitalize a fading virtue among the Chinese by applying marketing strategies, even though the financial value of the rewards is small compared to the moral condemnation they represent.

Caring for each other is priceless, but gratitude can be expressed in material terms. Any morally lofty behavior, whether it is returning belongings to their original owners or offering seats on buses, deserves both spiritual and material returns.

Dear Readers, "Forum" is a column that provides a space for varying perspectives on contemporary Chinese society. In each issue, "Forum" will announce the topic for an upcoming issue. We invite you to submit personal viewpoints (in either English or Chinese). Upcoming Topic: Can a judge rule on a civil case on the basis of personal analysis? E-mail us at byao@cipg.org.cn Please provide your name, telephone number, zip code and address along with your comments. Editor: Yao Bin