Pathetic Apathetic Singaporeans

I am beginning to realise the big frocking problem with us Singaporeans. Instead of looking inwards to build our virtues and morals, we criticise others for the lack of it. Instead of looking outwards to widen our horizons, we try to shoot down every compliment we give to others.

I read on the forum page of our No.1 English newspaper(there is only one, New Paper is not even a paper, it is Sensation Extravaganza!) ...

There was this lady who wrote in, saying that we singaporeans should learn from civic minded Japanese. Why she said this was becos she had a very pleasant experience while on tour in Japan. NICE!:D She noticed how the recycling bins are FULLY utilised, and that the jappys are keeping the place clean, etc etc... Great example for us inconsiderate Singaporeans to learn from.

All good init? Not so for one woman, who apparently could not take it lying down.

Something interesting about this woman though. She gives the impression that she is a Singaporean, probably loved Japan so much that she married one. Settled there. Fine. Then what? She couldn't trade her Straits Times for Asahi Shimbun. Somehow she read the same forum article. That article ignited some unknown hatred towards Japanese in her. She blasted the writer of the former article. She lambasted her that Japanese are NOT what she says they are. That shopping bags are 5yen a piece. That rubbish are strewn all over the streets, etc... Bottomline, they are NOT civic minded from 'where she lives'( Somewhere near Kobe). She went on further to attack her point by point. Interesting isn't it? Perhaps there are 2 Japans, with bi-polar attitudes towards graciousness.

I felt amused, bemused, angry and pity after I read the reply from this Singapore export.

One, why the hell did she marry a Japanese if she is so unhappy with them? Perhaps she is like a Xmas log cake after Christmas? Free also 'bo lang ai'? When the first writer commented on 'civic minded Japanese'. Did this woman literally take it that she meant the entire Japanese population? Immigrants included? For all we know, those rubbish on the streets are partly contributed by this "Singaporean comfort woman".

Two. When we make a statement, like men are logical, whereas women are emotional. Are there not ONE man who is emotional, or one woman who is logical? Of course there is. So, do we smash that aforesaid statement into pieces? No, of course not. We KNOW that the statements that are made are usually generalised, not absolute.

Sadly, there are many Singaporeans, many highly educated, who think exactly the same way as this woman. (Hmm... The word 'think' might sound complimentary to these pathetic souls...) Proof? The very fact that her forum contribution was published. Such small and petty views from a obasan wannabe actually gets approval from the editors of our "number one newspaper".

I meet these people everyday. And I think to myself, who made us such? Our society, our peers, ourselves? Nobody really knows. But we really need to change our mindset. Be gracious, be nice. Learn from those who have a reputation of being gracious. And realise, that in all civilisations, there are blacksheep. When I stepped on dog poo, while in Paris(not once, but many times), I did not stop thinking that Paris is romantic.

Rule of thumb: If you keep quiet, you look intelligent. If you speak gibberish, we know you are a fool.