OUR SAY

THE LITTLE RED DOT will be all a-glitter with red – and white – this month. And come Aug 9, Red and White will cover the National Day Parade venue, drape HDB flats, homes, offices and factories, and even light up the sky from helicopters as the nation throws its biggest party of the year. Forty-six years into independence, our island-republic – small in size but big on the world stage – will celebrate its birthday with a bang, and yet be mindful of the challenges ahead.

But for now, let’s paint the town red. Even as we do so, let’s keep a few things in mind so that faces will not go red or neighbours turn green.

Let us not be Ugly Singaporeans. Let’s NOT:

• Use the mobile phone in cinemas or theatres, at meetings and discussions. Switch it off;
• Send or read SMSes when someone is talking to you;
• Drive recklessly, weave in and out of lanes, and tailgate;
• Cut queues;
• Litter the tables at food centres after a meal;
• Spit in public and litter the roads;
• Lie on MRT seats;
• Smoke in non-designated areas;
• Put out clothes and mattresses on public benches, parks and other public places;
• Ill-treat our home helpers and other foreign workers;
• Exploit the poor and marginalised.
  
  

And when we are abroad, visiting another country, let’s NOT:

• Be arrogant and demanding;
• Flaunt our affluence;             
• Criticise the culture, service and work practices;
• Break the laws;
• Do the things we are not supposed to do in our own country.
  
  

These are just some of the social habits we should not harbour or cultivate. While there is some truth that not a few of these bad habits have been brought in or amplified by the foreigners, Singaporeans, too, need to be reminded and educated on social etiquette. Singapore, being a “fine city”, has come a long way these past 46 years – the fines for spitting, littering, speeding, etc have worked, but there are still some recalcitrants.

We are still on the road to nationhood; in fact, we still have a long way to go. A nation is judged not just on its economic success. It gains international repute and respect when it contributes to world order and when it is recognised as a “civilised society” by other nations.     

We are not there yet, we are not a First World society. But, this National Day, we can resolve to be one. Let the Red and White flag fly high.