GRACIOUS SOCIETY IN OUR LIFETIME? Goodness gracious NO
Most S'poreans agree with MM Lee that we won't see one anytime soon
By Kor Kian Beng
January 12, 2008
A STRAW poll of 100 people by The New Paper showed that seven in 10 think they won't see a gracious society in their lifetime.
And they include the post-65ers.
They were echoing Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's sentiments, which were expressed at a dialogue to mark the 40th anniversary of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies on Monday.
He was responding to a question about Singapore's progress in terms of social graces and environmental consciousness just as the country succeeds economically.
The New Paper polled 20 people in each of the five age groups: 18 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and above 60.
Of these, 68 believed they would not live to see a gracious society here.
The Singapore Kindness Movement defines a gracious society as one that encompasses the appreciation of culture, heritage awareness, education and the desire for learning, and civic-mindedness.
The least optimistic in the poll were those in the 31 to 40 age group.
Only about a quarter felt they would see a gracious society in their lifetime.
Those aged between 18 and 30, however, were more hopeful, with half responding yes. (See table above right.)
IMPOSSIBLE
Student Lye Urn Lee, 19, was one of the younger ones who felt that a gracious society is near-impossible.
He said: 'It's just our culture that has been around for very long. We're brought up in a manner that doesn't encourage graciousness from within.
'We can become gracious only after a long time, but that will definitely not come within my lifetime.'
Mr Kenneth Lim, 31, an assistant manager, agreed.
He said: 'People are getting more selfish. The younger generation now spend less time with their families, so who's going to teach them how to be respectful and considerate?'
His main grouse: The many ungracious drivers and selfish commuters on public transport.
This is among the top ungracious behaviour listed by those polled.
They also cited not holding doors for others as another ungracious act.
Examples of such behaviour are similar to the list compiled by the Singapore Kindness Movement in a survey of 1,000 respondents, The Straits Times reported last May. (See report on facing page.)
TWO GENERATIONS
Mr Gerard Peck, 46, an information privacy manager estimated that it would take at least two more generations to cultivate civil compassion.
Mr KH Teo, 61, who works in the oil industry, reckoned it will take at least 20 years.
His reason? Social graces will suffer as Singapore becomes more affluent.
He said: 'It's a matter of attitude. When people were poor, they were more patient and considerate as they could empathise with others.
'Now that they're richer, they think, 'Why should I give in to you?'
Another reason cited by the pessimists: The increasingly competitive lifestyle here makes people less considerate to others.
Mr Lim said: 'With more foreigners coming to work and live here, it will make Singapore a more competitive place.
'People are going to become more selfish and have less time to be gracious to others.'
Others were more hopeful.
Madam Koh Ah Lian, 56, felt five years would be enough to put an end to ungracious behaviour - such as spitting or quarrelling in public.
How? With sustained education and campaigning, she said.
Student Felicia Goh, 19, agreed.
'Singapore tends to copy Western culture and in my opinion, that is a gracious culture.
'So, hopefully, in my lifetime, we can copy their good traits and become a gracious society too.'
Mr Steven Chiu, 36, a general manager, was one of the rare few who believes that Singapore is already a gracious society, though not in the conventional sense.
He said: 'The way Singaporeans show graciousness is different from the Westerners, who believe in treating and speaking nicely to others in public.
'Singaporeans can be considered gracious by the way they have given generously to charities and to other countries in need.'
Student Wang Simin, 18, was more candid on why she is hopeful of a gracious society in her lifetime.
'I think I can see it. I'm still young with a long life ahead of me, hopefully.'
- Additional reporting by Teo Chin Ghee, Chong Zi Liang, Megha Gupta and Aditi Shivaramakrishnan, newsroom interns
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...53177,00.html? 
A gracious Singapore? Not in my lifetime: MM 
Re: A gracious Singapore? Not in my lifetime: MM 
