To clarify, the height I held is to the extend of my hand could reach the shutter, I was 1.5 m from the person in front, there was nobody behind me as the crowd was 8 people deep, so nobody could see anything at eye-level from where I was.....I have a hand strap on and was using a carbon fibre monopod with a Foba base and RRR L plate, so the camera is very secure, not some cheap flimsy pod.....my balls are not as big as a Stallion, as I paid for my equip with hard earned dollars. I am amused at the conjectures by various parties, but somehow many of the posts have since been removed by the admin. People ware using flash and poping all over the place, so flash is not an issue here nor blockage of view as explained above. The weather was below 5 deg C so everyone was well covered from top to toes....so even if I have intention to get a bird eyeview of people from above as suggested by someone, their modesty would not be compromised. I must say the way some of the others were holding their cam with their hands in the midst of the crowd, chances of clobbering the heads of those in front of them is much greater. In fact some were carrying their child on one hand and the cam on the other. And talking about manners, the agressive way they approach me is not that pleasing either, some 'Chikopeks' were seen groping in the crowds....plus it would be ill-mannered of me to manouver to the front. I guess based on the responses here, I'd probably be stopped if I were in Singapore too. Perhaps its just that we are being consevative, unlike what I see in the West where people do use Monopod to get greater height, of course with due consideration of being at a safe distance from others.