my wish list for Singapore

我报 had this article few days ago. A teacher wrote in, sharing that MPs should conduct walkabouts in trains as opposed to coffee shops, as the former is now a better litmus test of 民情。I totally agree... as you would know I am a 6-day per week train commuter, and because of the kaypoh I am, the conversations, Public Display of Affection and rude behaviour to fellow commuters strike me as an interesting observation but increasingly, because I am in the know, bit by bit I am getting disillusioned and jaded by whatever is happening to Uniquely Singapore.



Ms Teacher shared 2 anecdotes, one in the bus and one in the train. She was brave enough to step out to tick off two youngster who were eating biscuits on the bus, who subsequently swept crumps on the floor. She reminded them they were not supposed to eat in the bus but was only responded by a challenge to her that says "我就是要吃哩！" and they sniggered off.....



Anyway by the rate our society is progressing, where dual-income parents are the norm, and either with maid or in the lucky scenario, the grandparents taking care of the kids, you have no control of children behaviour and they become, simply one word, like ANIMALS. Sure, it is easy to say that one should be contented and if needed, 看破and dedicate yourself to be a mother and make do with lesser income... Then with rising costs of education and all that nonsense, who is going to bear? Gahmen? I am not sure... DPM says "to bring the proverbial stork back to Singapore".... It is really easier said than done. I am really looking forward to PM's national day speech this year.



Put it this way, I think people have kids is not just about enjoying the process, but really having to be a parent and to be there for the children. I want to bring up my children the way my mum has brought me up - to be there for me after school, to teach me my 1 to 12 time table, to teach me to do housework, going to the market with her, watching TV together, going shopping together, cooking for me, giving me the extra support during exams, etc. Mum has dedicated a very large part of her life to raising Gee and myself, and there is nothing short of gratitude and indebtedness to her.



In this time and age, how to be the "proverbial" mother like her????



Before PM announces his (hopefully) goodies and sentiments to the nation, I would like to share my wish list for Singapore:

1. Rethink if there is a need to be #1, all the time - Because the top is obsessed with being the "leading", "key" and "strategic", these top-down directives cascade down to organisational levels and down to individual KPIs. National competitive advantage is important, but so is citizen welfare - employee fatigue has been empirically proven to decrease productivity and eventually lead to loss in sustainability. And all that employee welfare programmes are bullshit because it is employees themselves that take on extra burden to organise that. Quitters then become a natural phenomenon when people get exhausted with living in the "now" everyday. We never chose to be second-class citizens elsewhere, but honestly, neither do we want to slog to death in a place we ironically call home.
2. A gracious society - say sorry when you bang into someone. Say thank you when someone holds the lift for you (not everyone is under the payroll of SMRT/SBS Transit). Say thank you when good customer service has been rendered, and at the same time, don't give ugly stares when a customer politely asks you to change an item (Dorothy Perkins at Raffles City is guilty of this - It was my 1st purchase at this shop and I will never step into this branch again... Thanks to the rude team lead)... It leads to a vicious cycle when the society takes niceties for granted. Those who have no manners and public decorum should be sent to exile.
3. Pro-human workplace - mean it when you say it. Shut office power supply at 6pm (or whatever time you knock off). BUT at the same time, set realistic corporate directions so people do not need to slog their lives away. We all have different roles to play in our lives - children, parents, spouse and employee. With all the multiple roles we have to play, why does work have be placed on a pedestal? (Read #1 for the answer) It is only so because we spend more than three-quarters of each day at work...

I think I only have 3.... It is not much to request for in terms of quantity, but I am not too sure if there is any framework in place to champion the quality of these requests and to stand by its side to make sure it takes place....

I chose to be in public service when I graduated because I want to contribute back to my society, but to see that what my society has turned out to be, I am questioning myself whether do I see the returns.

Happy birthday, Singapore.