On July 17, I landed at Changi Airport Terminal 2 after a short getaway. Like others, I was expecting the renowned efficiency of our immigration process, especially after a red-eye flight.
However, what greeted us was a single, long queue stretching across the arrival hall, with immigration officers informing incoming passengers that the automated systems were down.
While system failures are inevitable, the ensuing chaos made me question whether Singaporeans truly embody the class and character we often pride ourselves on, especially when our well-oiled machineries fail.
First, when additional counters opened, people bypassed the already-formed single line, running to be at the front of the new queues.
Those who had been queueing patiently in the single line were shocked as people behind them sprinted forward.
The lack of queue organisation by the officers on duty only exacerbated the situation.
Second, when the automated lanes were being tested to see if they could resume operating, many passengers took it as a sign they were back online and again ran to the counters.
Third, people were noticeably envious of the elderly, disabled, pregnant and the young who were invited to the front of the queue along with their travel companions.
Instead of understanding and empathy, there were mutterings and glares.
There were incessant mutterings about how the Government had “failed”. While it is natural to feel frustrated in such situations, the immediate blame game seemed unproductive and ungracious.
I could identify these complaining individuals as fellow Singaporeans by their signature red passports.
This experience made me wonder if we have taken our efficient systems for granted. When these systems falter, do we still uphold the values of patience, kindness, and respect for others?
In contrast, visitors from countries like Japan and Thailand, where the arriving flights were from and which are countries known for their people’s kindness, patience and graciousness, must have been taken aback by the behaviour they witnessed.
As Singaporeans, we pride ourselves on our first-class infrastructure and efficiency. However, true first-class citizenship is reflected in our behaviour, which should match our country’s world-class standards, regardless of the circumstances.
Sim Cheng Yu
The Straits Times Forum, 23 Jul 2024
Some behaviours can be linked to historical baggage
We tend to associate a country’s world-class status with a wealthy, developed economy and a highly educated people culminating in well-behaved citizens (S’poreans’ behaviour not aligned with country’s world-class standards, July 23).
However, wealth, education and behaviour are not interrelated. A wealthy person may not be well-educated, a well-educated person may not have good behaviour and so on. This applies to nations and not just individuals. There is a myriad of circumstances that influence a nation’s wealth, education and behaviour. Take behaviour for instance. Fundamentally, a nation’s behaviour is linked and influenced by its historical, religious, social and cultural contexts.
The Japanese are known to be the most polite people. Historically, it’s in their culture to value societal manners and etiquette in the way they live their lives, and these qualities are imbued at a very young age.
In Thai culture, which is strongly influenced by Buddhism, forgiveness and care are deep-rooted. Smiles symbolise and reflect these qualities.
Singaporeans are known to be kiasu – we fear losing out. We can perhaps link this negative trait of selfishness and inconsiderate behaviour to our historical baggage. Our forefathers, who were immigrants, typically lacked education, were of lower social classes, and had to be overtly competitive to survive.
Generally, we are brought up this way. Even now when Singaporeans have plenty to live on, it would take generations to change the upbringing. Still, as a senior citizen, I am glad for Forum writer Sim Cheng Yu’s poignant observation. As young fourth-generation Singaporeans come of age, it’s time the youth of our nation break free from the past to cultivate and groom behaviours that their next generations can be proud of.
Chow Kok Fai
The Straits Times Forum, 25 Jul 2024
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