Originally posted by dragg:
Oct 14, 2006
The Straits Times
RECENTLY, my friend from Australia commented that Singaporeans
behaved like pigs. I disagreed, saying that at most it's a small
minority who behaved that way. He challenged me to a test. I
accepted his challenge, determined to prove him wrong. I was
bitterly disappointed.
Here is an account of what happened.
My friend, my wife, our one-year-old son in a pram and I (wearing a
neck brace and with my arm in a sling from injuries sustained in a
car accident) went for an MRT ride. My wife and son couldn't get
into the station for some time because other commuters kept using
the gate meant for the disabled, ignoring her and the pram.
When the train arrived, people rushed in while alighting passengers
rushed out. No one gave way to my wife and the pram. She had to
compete with the horde to get onto the train. To make things worse,
those standing at the doorway refused to move in, making it even
more difficult for her.
Once on board, no one bothered to give up his seat to my wife, who
was carrying our son. Those seated were young, able-bodied and
educated (executive-type) adults. Finally, it was two Thai workers
who gave up their seats to us.
Later, an old woman boarded the train. Again, no one gave up his
seat until a man in a neck brace and an arm sling did so.
When we reached our destination, we tried to take the lift from the
platform to the ticket concourse. The lift was packed with
able-bodied people. My friend asked that my wife and the pram be
allowed in but one man turned around and remarked rudely, 'Why
can't you take the next lift?'. I was shocked beyond words.
We went to a packed food court for lunch. No tables were available.
We waited and finally noticed a couple leaving. We inched our way
towards their table but, with just 5m to go, a group of office
girls ran ahead of us and took the table.
When we finally got a table, it was unbelievably messy. There were
chicken bones, spilt sauces and prawn shells all over the
table.
I turned red in the face when my friend, who was helping to clear
the table, asked, 'So, do you still think that it's only a minority
of Singaporeans that behave this way? If so, take a look
around you. Look real hard at the tables when they leave... You
guys eat like pigs.'
Martin Goh Lye Thiam
not all hor!
at least my colleague will clean up the table after she
finish...
