Singapore Kindness Movement

So, why would a country need a Kindness Movement? Recycling, Smoky the Bear, etc. I get. But, why does a country need to “teach” kindness? Well, come to Singapore. As I promised, I would document the adventures and misadventures. Mostly, everything here has been quite positive and if you know me, then you know I look at the world as half full but with some cynicism.

I’m sitting on the couch this morning, working on the computer and finishing my tea when a commercial comes on (first I think it’s one of the LDS commercials – people are smiling and helping each other, etc.) and I’m intrigued! So, watch below –

I think immediately, “I want to post on that – but what and how?” So, I thought I would share just some of experiences that happened today – just today. In almost 5 minutes I experienced the following: I’m coming back from Carrefour with a bag in my hand additionally my Decaf Tall Soy Mocha (Yum!) and I’m dragging my grocery trolley in the other hand. I come to a door and I struggle to get through the door, there are people around but I’m completely ignored – this is a fairly common occurrence here (I don’t know if it’s because I’m considered a tourist or if it’s just how they are – I believe it’s more the later because I witness it even amongst Singaporeans). Then when I had to go through the next door, a man and woman on the other side just stood there waiting for me to get through the door first – I had to actual motion for the man to help open the door for me and (Argh!) he then actually gave me some attitude.

So, at this point, I’m really thinking this Kindness Movement is necessary, there’s an epidemic here. But, my faith is restored as I enter a side door of the hotel and a man voluntarily opens the door for me. It seems today, I experienced 1-2 acts of rudeness for every 1 act of kindness. But wait, it may be outweighed in the favor of kindness today because when I entered our hotel room there was a pot of orchids sitting on the table. Utterly fantastic, and, no note. It was just a random act (albeit the Company is paying $$$$ for our stay and we have received a few little gifts here and there but nothing like this!). So, it’s just another day in S’pore – the good, the bad and the ugly! Though, I could have reported the same thing in the U.S. – it’s hard to say, but since I’m here I’m going to look at it from a different angle.

As an aside (because I’m full of it today!), I frequently experience the issue of the door opening here in Singapore. Though it’s quite common in the U.S. for the man to open the door for the woman, I also find it quite frequent that no matter the gender the door is opened and held open for the other person. People here are quite adept at “ignoring” each other; even when there is a stream of people going through the same door, it’s not held – you have to watch out and make sure it’s not slammed in your face. There’s no other way to put it.

I received some very good advice from Doug and Mary, “Never look at people in the eye,” (in reference when walking down thoroughfares). This is a quite difficult for me because, as you may know, looking someone in the eye in America is almost required – the person thinks you’re hiding something or being rude if you don’t look them in the eye. So, yes, this is a cultural difference but I wonder if it has created a spirit of apathy and a loss of personal connection? Just a musing thought… Another aspect is this: you have to realize there are 5 Million people on this Island AND it’s only 247 square miles of land area. So, I guess you either be kind to everyone or ignore everyone. What would you do?

But, I hope the Movement helps; I did notice on the website (http://www.kindness.sg/) that S’pore is not the only member of the “World Kindness Movement” and it’s not government mandated – it’s pretty much one of those feel good things that will probably never really take hold (now that’s one of half empty moments!). Maybe we all need a little reminder at times. In the U.S., I’ve seen commercials – “Pass it On” and maybe that’s all this is but with some of the comments and absolute rudeness I have witnessed it makes me think there may be more to it.