Scenario 1: a man gets bumped by a pram being pushed by another man as the latter hurries to jaywalk. the former yells out a slur of vulgarities on the top of his lungs at the other, including, "are you educated? can't you see it's a red man?"

yelling man proceeds to jaywalk after a few seconds, causing a girl behind him to burst out laughing at how ridiculous the whole scene is.

scene 2: a man is trying to get assurance that his phone is fixed at a phone shop. the repair man assures him politely that it is and that even the battery has been changed. the man kicks up a fuss about having to travel all the way to the phone shop. the repair man again politely points out that all issues have been taken care of. the man then aggressively retorts, "how can you talk to me like that? I'm the customer!"

after 2 seconds, the man angrily remarks that the "back" button is not working. to which the repair man replies politely, "you are at the 'home' screen. there is nothing to 'go back' to."



in both scenarios, the two rather unreasonable men (in my opinion) are Singaporeans. two being 'wronged' are Singaporeans as well. has our culture been depraved to the point where being educated means that you are entitled to a wealth of respect and service beyond your wildest imagination? does being educated mean that you are better and deserve more than someone serving you?

does being educated mean that one becomes ungracious? does it mean you can be demanding and that the world has to kowtow to you?

I know of a elderly lady who has perfect speech and an almost perfect life. her house is beautiful and every fortnight or every month, she donates a beautiful floral arrangement to her church altar. she bakes and gives to her church people.

at home, her maid responds to the ringing of the bell and is scolded for the smallest things. the maid lives on bread while the dog gets steamed fish, boiled meat, and rice. and she says it's because, "she's just a maid, you cannot be nice to people like that or they will walk all over you."

i don't think i've ever been angered so badly by such hypocrisy in a person. are domestic helpers not humans? are they not entitled to basic human rights such as respect? are service staff not allow a semblance of kindness and humanity? is not the man on the street just as human as another is??


when the light feels a little dim, I try to make a little difference. my thank-yous are a little brighter and heartfelt. I buy snacks for my hairdresser. I smile and say good morning to the elderly on their morning walks around my neighborhood. I try to help people who approach me on the streets for directions as much as I can, even if it means taking a detour from my original path to walk the person through the maze of traffic lights and making sure they reach their destination. I laugh and chat with service staff if their schedules permit for it when I know they are looking worn out and tired.

it's not very different from how I would treat my friends.. it's just generally how I feel people should be cared for.

even more for service staff. they are on their feet and serving us. they run their rounds. they deal with difficult people and are generally taken for granted. for far too long, people have had the notion that "the customer is king" and being king means you can be unreasonable and demand for your feet to be kissed just because there's money coming out of your pockets.

"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slavee of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:42-45

where is humility and grace in this world? where is kindness, patience, and love? has it just given way to self-entitlement, ego, pride, and self-idolatry?


as much as I say I hate people, I don't. I hate the way that people feel that the world centers around them. I hate the way they think that they deserve more and better than others without wanting to give in return.

the depravity of man. really sobering and horrifying. :(