Why Are Singaporeans So Easily Uptight?

I had called a property agent and realised I had dialed the wrong number and hence redialed. A call came in and I apologised to the lady for the wrong number and hung up.

The phone rang again and recoginising the same voice I said, "Sorry, I had called the wrong number." To my shock, the voice screamed, "Why you hang up the phone so fast huh? Why so rude?" I was so stunned I did not know what to say, and not wanting to get into any argument or quarrel, I hung up the phone. The phone kept ringing and ringing!! I could imagine the lady fuming over the other end. Fuming over what? I had already apologised politely to her. What more did she expect me to say or do? Papa always advised us not to waste time with "Xiao ren" (little people).

Yes, little people with small hearts and minds. It is sad to note that as our country gets bigger in terms of economical growth, people are getting smaller in hearts and minds. Is it not surprising that we are perceived as one of the unhappiest people on earth? Singaporeans are known to be often murmuring, complaining and whining. We sometimes act like spoilt little brats! We blame others for mistakes. We scream when we think others have taken advantage of us. We whine when we don't get what we want.

Just the other day, I took the lift at the MRT station and was shocked at the profanities spewing out of the mouths of two ladies who were obviously colleagues. They were cursing their bosses, oblivious to being heard by other commuters! Though they were dressed immaculately, I suddenly thought that the poorly and shabbily dressed ladies I met in Nepal seemed to be more noble and elegant than them.

Look at our foreign workers.... especially those in the construction line. They laboured under the sun, sending home their hard earned money to their families in India, Thailand, China, Bangladesh, etc. Yet, look at their joy and smiles as their pick-up vehicles speed along our busy roads! Or our foreign maids who smile and seem so joyful during their off days as they congregate around Orchard Road, thankful for their hard-earned break.

Singaporeans are known to be avid travellers! Each time I return from visits to other countries, I come back more appreciative of the wonderful things we are enjoying here.

Come on, people. Let us be thankful and count our blessings and name them one by one
Let us be gracious when others make mistakes and be forgiving when others hurt us, bearing in mind that we too may unintentionally hurt others and need forgiveness too. I have often wondered why God has given us such a difficult command of forgiving and even loving our enemies. He is our Creator and knows that when we get angry and become unforgiving, it is not good for our health. Hence, it is easier for us to breathe with ease and fill our minds with peace when we let go our anger even as the sun sets in the west, so that we can welcome each day with open arms and bigger hearts and minds.

Gan Chau