MR KOH Poh Tiong, chairman of the Singapore Kindness Movement, praised Singaporeans for their kindness ("Kindness is part of our nature"; last Tuesday), and I am deeply pleased with this for two reasons.
First, I honestly think most Singaporeans are kind.
Of course, there are rotten apples in every society, but I was irked to hear the statement that "Singaporeans are rude" ringing out over the radio and tarring our collective reputation with a single brush.
Thus, it is no surprise that Singapore has often been rated very poorly in the world where kindness is concerned.
Second, contrary to the aforementioned claim, we are much more gracious today than in the past.
If anything, it is because there are now more platforms for people to voice their displeasure over rude behaviour.
For every 10 cases of rudeness, about half will be reported, as people are wont to complain about a poor experience.
However, out of every 10 cases of gracious behaviour, only one, or maybe none, will be reported, as people often do not bother to speak up about things that do not affect them adversely.
I urge Singaporeans to not be too quick to pass judgment on their fellow citizens - especially if it is something negative - as they may be doing themselves a great injustice and unfairly tarnishing the reputation of Singaporeans.
When the occasion calls for it, I believe Singaporeans will show their true colours and prove all detractors wrong.
Phillip Tan Fong Lip
First, I honestly think most Singaporeans are kind.
Of course, there are rotten apples in every society, but I was irked to hear the statement that "Singaporeans are rude" ringing out over the radio and tarring our collective reputation with a single brush.
Thus, it is no surprise that Singapore has often been rated very poorly in the world where kindness is concerned.
Second, contrary to the aforementioned claim, we are much more gracious today than in the past.
If anything, it is because there are now more platforms for people to voice their displeasure over rude behaviour.
For every 10 cases of rudeness, about half will be reported, as people are wont to complain about a poor experience.
However, out of every 10 cases of gracious behaviour, only one, or maybe none, will be reported, as people often do not bother to speak up about things that do not affect them adversely.
I urge Singaporeans to not be too quick to pass judgment on their fellow citizens - especially if it is something negative - as they may be doing themselves a great injustice and unfairly tarnishing the reputation of Singaporeans.
When the occasion calls for it, I believe Singaporeans will show their true colours and prove all detractors wrong.
Phillip Tan Fong Lip
