I AM a 64-year-old English woman and have lived in Singapore with my husband for over five years. In that time, we have received nothing but respect and courtesy from children and adults.
Recently, after taking a walk around the Chinese Garden, we decided to have a drink and snack at the foodcourt.
We sat in the non-smoking area. Shortly after we arrived, a small group of youngsters sat down at the table next to us. One of the young men, who was sitting right in front of the "no smoking" sign, proceeded to light a cigarette.
I asked him if he realised it was a non-smoking area. He made many faces at me and told me to go back to my table. He then threw the cigarette onto the grass.
After they finished their food, the young man lit another cigarette. I again reminded him that it was a no-smoking area.
He told me to go away, and said many other things which I could not make out. He and his female companion then made rude faces and gestures at me.
As I was leaving, he suggested that I "go to back to where (I) came from".
This is my first bad experience here in five years. Although I have always defended the youth of Singapore as being courteous and thoughtful, this is a reminder that there are always some bad apples in a basket.
Marlene Robson (Mrs)
Recently, after taking a walk around the Chinese Garden, we decided to have a drink and snack at the foodcourt.
We sat in the non-smoking area. Shortly after we arrived, a small group of youngsters sat down at the table next to us. One of the young men, who was sitting right in front of the "no smoking" sign, proceeded to light a cigarette.
I asked him if he realised it was a non-smoking area. He made many faces at me and told me to go back to my table. He then threw the cigarette onto the grass.
After they finished their food, the young man lit another cigarette. I again reminded him that it was a no-smoking area.
He told me to go away, and said many other things which I could not make out. He and his female companion then made rude faces and gestures at me.
As I was leaving, he suggested that I "go to back to where (I) came from".
This is my first bad experience here in five years. Although I have always defended the youth of Singapore as being courteous and thoughtful, this is a reminder that there are always some bad apples in a basket.
Marlene Robson (Mrs)
