No Teeth, No Money and ........No Hair!!!!!

Recently, our Prime Minister, in his usual humorous manner, reminded his beloved citizens and residents of Singapore, that when they are old, it would be terrible not to have teeth; it would be even worse if they had no money!! I would like to remind our Prime Minister and his cabinet, "Bo geh, bo lui.....pun bo moh!!! (No teeth, no money.....and also no hair!)

If you were to look around, the people in this little dot need not wait till 85 years to lose their hairs! Already, young men at around mid-twenties are starting to bald. Worse, ladies too are losing their hairs, and many could be seen with bald patches on their otherwise perfect heads!!! During my mother's time, ladies usually, unless they had health problems, often had their lovely crowning glory intact till they went six feet under!

Why is that so? More and more ladies are taking on the roles as heads of the families. The divorce rate is increasing, and usually mothers have custody of their children. Even single ladies who are climbing the corporate ladder of success are balding!

Not to sound as if I were murmuring, I would perhaps like to point out how things could be improved in our little nation so that stress can be reduced for everyone.

More leeways should be given. Although rules are good to maintain law and order, nevertheless, every case should be weighed and considered. Do not just penalise your people ....please don't just follow law! It makes me feel very "sian" (fed up)
when I read of the man who was fined for parking his car in front of his own house.
Sometimes, we take things for granted, you know. After all, our sense of ownership does not only extend to our lovely island of Singapore, but to our little homes as well. The driveway infront of our doors must be ours lah. After all, we would only be blocking ourselves with our car parked at our own entrance. I would suggest a warning be given; or a little explanation from the authority be given to elucidate or educate your people.

I was also amused when I read that the National Library had sent out fines to those who did not return books some time back, ranging as far back as five years! I guess the majority of our people would not have the blessings of a photographic memory. People would be more likely to remember hurts and pain inflicted upon them, but not books borrowed and returned late. As one borrower had cried out in frustration, "So much work over 30 cents." The time of our people could be saved by asking them to donate the fines. Can you imagine people spending a few dollars in bus or mrt fares to the Library just to pay the 30 cents fine? Why not give them the option of donating $5/- or $10/- to a charitable organisation. The $10/- is taking into consideration the saving of time and taxi fares. Or why not just cancel and pardon your people and give a stern warning? No, I am not a borrower; in fact, very paiseh, (embarrassing) I had never stepped into any public library all these two and a half decades since I arrived in Singapore! I glean all my information from magazines and newspapers, as well as the computer. Somehow I never like libraries....they remind me of cemetries; the silence and serious ambience in the building is too frightening for me.

The government has encouraged everyone to be entrepreneurial. Yet so many rules are stringent. If a company gets messed up; directors quarrel, income and expenses are not filed, heavy fines are imposed. Is it any wonder why many a brainy engineer or lawyer prefers to be a salaried staff? Too many risks and too stringent rules. If we want to keep the hairs on our heads intact; play safe. Lead a less complicated life.

Perhaps the marriage vow should be revised to, "In sickness and in good health; in poverty and in wealth, in head full of hairs and botak head, (bald headed) till death do us part."

Arghh! Hairs are dropping from my head! Where's the vacuum cleaner?

Gan Chau