Rude Singaporeans
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I spent a trip back home reflecting on an article from The Sydney Morning Herald, which was about Singaporeans' lack of good manners.

My first reaction? I found myself on both sides of the fence. I thought it was inaccurate but it couldn't be entirely false, can it?

There will always be ungracious and gracious people around us whether we are living with an indigenous tribe, or staying in a five-star hotel. Visitors to a place may choose to highlight the bad or the good, depending on many factors, really.

Everyone has their own opinions and beliefs, let’s respect that.

The article may have made some assumptions but we are lying if we say that we have never been witness to or victims of ungracious behaviour on public transportation or at food courts.

The article gives us the opportunity for self reflection and that is evident in the comments made by netizens in Stomp, Transitioning.org, and Spug Forum for instance, and newspaper readers in the past week.

Talking about how we are as a society can indeed affect how present and future generations think and act. Discussing such issues is a step to an awakening for us to the real situation of our society.

Campaigns, controversial articles, or just outspoken individuals - sometimes, we need something to jolt us to see our world from a wider perspective. When we get too engrossed in the pace of our own lives, we overlook the small yet important things around us.

But let us also not dismiss the Singaporeans who are living testimony to the idea that graciousness is alive and well in our country.  

Singaporeans have been sharing their graciousness stories with SKM and the Movement continues to document events affirming everyday kindness as well.

I have written an entry not to defame an article or how it was presented, but to invite Singaporeans to take this as an opportunity to assess ourselves as a society.

Do we really have a long way to go? Or are we not doing so badly as a society?

Are you thinking now?

Thanks for taking the first step.

Start, show and share,
GG

 
Disclaimer: Bloggers’ views do not represent SKM’s



Submitted by Anna on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 10:37am.

I'm not Singaporean but having stayed in Singapore for 7 years, I have become habituated to the way people here live their lives- busy busy busy. You hardly have enough time for yourself- let alone think about other people. BUT I would say that- there is unseen progress towards being gracious.

I take the train everyday to work and I have been witness to countless Singaporeans who have given up their seats to those who need them- be it at the reserved seats or not. Sometimes, it even leads to funny situations when some people mistake other people for being pregnant (just because they have slightly bigger tummies). I have friends who experienced this!

And on the other hand, there are some elderly who refuse to sit even when offered a seat!

But what does this show? that the campaigns do work and that because everyone's too busy- we need to be constantly reminded. There used to be just one small sticker above the reserved street in the train.. now there's a big sign that says reserved/ priority seats (can't remember but it's the blue one with an arrow). I think that did the trick- and the huge Phua Chu Kang sticker that they pasted on the glass panes where people lean their heads on and pretend to sleep.

There's always another side to a story- and I think more people should highlight he positive changes that are slowly happening. :)




Submitted by Eunice on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 10:36am.

Definitely. There has been many times when I witnessed acts of rudeness in public places. And while sometimes I believe that common sense will guide us to do the right/non-rude thing, I have come to believe that perhaps that is no longer the case. We are caught up with chasing other physical things that we have forgotten the fundamental essence of being human. To sum up, I think we have a long way to go before we can fully be a gracious society. 




Submitted by nestor amable on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 10:35am.

I am empressed of the writer's hearfelt concern for Singaporian's social graces and Yes, her expository skill built-in the write-up.

Geeky Girl is a good resource for prime reform movements. She and many othrs like her will make good as change/reform advocates, a teacher, sharer, trainer, facilitator, coach, mentor for a self-to-national renewal program which Singapore clearly needs. Its government should even fund such a reform a good cause or campaign/project/program.

MORE POWER GEEKY GIRL!