Any views on this?...
Small island, small minds?
Motorists here must learn to respect others
Letter from Wendi Strauch Mahoney
TODAY Newspaper, 23 Sept 2005
It was gratifying to read Liang Dingzi's commentary, "A place where only bullies get ahead?" (Sept 6) on the rudeness of Singaporeans.
I felt, for once, that I am not alone in feeling battered by the lack of kindness here.
I have lived here for almost two years and I am both amazed and irritated at the lack of common courtesy here.
I understand that living in a city can bring with it a certain detached way of interacting with others. However, I am consistently frustrated by the rudeness here, especially when it also puts the lives of others in danger.
The list is endless: Taxi drivers who see motorists and pedestrians as "game"; drivers who refuse to give way under any circumstance; drivers who pass other motorists as they are backing into parking places; drivers who intimidate pedestrians that are crossing the street; drivers who straddle lanes while making up their minds which lane serves them best; motorcyclists who weave in and out of traffic or who ride in the fast lane, and so on.
I have always tried to be a courteous driver. Even here, despite the temptation to "do as the Romans do", I continue to make every attempt to allow others to pass, give way to pedestrians and to wait my turn.
I rarely get a thank you or wave from the other driver, as if that person was entitled to the graciousness I just extended to them.
I understand that my politeness may be seen as weak to Singaporeans, but the only way I know how to change something as ingrained as this is to start with myself and hope that someone notices and says to himself, "Wow, that was nice. Maybe I should be as courteous." Somehow, I do not see that happening here.
Singapore does everything in its power to be competitive and respected in the world market. However, if the people here do not begin to understand how important it is to respect others, display manners and compassion, I do not see Singapore being anything more than a small country with small-minded people.
Small island, small minds?
Motorists here must learn to respect others
Letter from Wendi Strauch Mahoney
TODAY Newspaper, 23 Sept 2005
It was gratifying to read Liang Dingzi's commentary, "A place where only bullies get ahead?" (Sept 6) on the rudeness of Singaporeans.
I felt, for once, that I am not alone in feeling battered by the lack of kindness here.
I have lived here for almost two years and I am both amazed and irritated at the lack of common courtesy here.
I understand that living in a city can bring with it a certain detached way of interacting with others. However, I am consistently frustrated by the rudeness here, especially when it also puts the lives of others in danger.
The list is endless: Taxi drivers who see motorists and pedestrians as "game"; drivers who refuse to give way under any circumstance; drivers who pass other motorists as they are backing into parking places; drivers who intimidate pedestrians that are crossing the street; drivers who straddle lanes while making up their minds which lane serves them best; motorcyclists who weave in and out of traffic or who ride in the fast lane, and so on.
I have always tried to be a courteous driver. Even here, despite the temptation to "do as the Romans do", I continue to make every attempt to allow others to pass, give way to pedestrians and to wait my turn.
I rarely get a thank you or wave from the other driver, as if that person was entitled to the graciousness I just extended to them.
I understand that my politeness may be seen as weak to Singaporeans, but the only way I know how to change something as ingrained as this is to start with myself and hope that someone notices and says to himself, "Wow, that was nice. Maybe I should be as courteous." Somehow, I do not see that happening here.
Singapore does everything in its power to be competitive and respected in the world market. However, if the people here do not begin to understand how important it is to respect others, display manners and compassion, I do not see Singapore being anything more than a small country with small-minded people.