2/11/2010
When Singaporeans stop complaining
No one likes to hear complaints. No one likes to be the object of complaints. In cybespace, we have complaints everywhere and on many issues by Singaporeans. Complaints against the high cost of living and high property prices are rampant. Is it good or bad?
I think it is good. For when Singaporeans stop complaining, it means that they have given up, they no longer see anything here that is worthy of belonging, that they no longer belong or want to have anything to do with this place. In short, they are opting out.
When Singaporeans no longer care about their country and its well being, no longer care about how it is turning into, that will be the sign that it is coming to an end. Such a state of affair was best described in the last few years of Hongkong before 1997. Everyone gave up and prepare to run with whatever they could grab. They had forsaken Hongkong and abandoning ship.
Just listen to the complaints. When it is silence....
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16 comments:
i want to complain abt your post,there's a pelling mistake in cyberspace.
i really care abt this post and this blog,that's why i am complaining.
you can also complain abt me i also have a "spelling" mistake if you look carefully.
Just joking, happy new year!
Thank you for your post. Your complaint is important to us. We will get back to you ASAP: )
Happy Lunar New Year to all of you.
Many things are good, or at worst not bad if done in moderation.
Many things that are good, if taken to an extreme can be bad.
Complaints have the potential to do good, as this can serve as a means of alerting others that certain things could or may need to be improved. Better still, if one has useful ideas, share them.
There need to be some balance when making complaints. In my opinion, a few points that need to be considered are:
- the assumption is that we are complaining about something that can be changed. No point complaining about something that cannot be changed. E.g> all of us have to leave paradise one day, no point complaining about this. This may seem obvious, but sometimes, when one hears or read about certain complaints, it is not so apparent that "this" is acknowledged or fully understood......
- in many things, there are pros and cons. When complaining about the cons, don't forget about the pros.
- in asking for a change, be careful that the cons of something new do not outweigh the pros.
- be aware that something that may be a pro to someone could be a con to another.
- something that can be a pro now can be a con sometime down the road. The converse may also be true.
- most things have a cost. Count the costs as well before implementing changes. I acknowledge that this may be easier said than done as "costs" can be subjective, but in principle costs should outweigh benefits before implementing changes.
- some people believe in living for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. Some people are just the opposite. Some people may say why bother about tomorrow, since I can hardly survive today? (Maybe we need to target more help to this group).Who is right and who is wrong? Maybe there is no right or wrong answer?
- people have different priorities, values etc Sometimes, we may have to agree to disagree.
- in pointing out the negatives, it would be good to also acknowledge the positives. Where possible, have a more balanced/less biased viewpoint.
- for those who are totally down and out and have "no blessings" to count, the government and society should be willing and compassionate enough to extend them a willing hand.
Although complaining may bring about a change for the better, try not to complain all the time. Learn to count your blessings as well - life would feel that much better. (And I am not just referring to the "complainee" ( I know there is probably no such word. My vocabulary is limited). but the complainant as well.
Oh and don't forget to check the facts - before complaining. Otherwise, could be potentially "embarassing".....
Me too - not just spelling errors but grammatical errors, and maybe, because of some of my views/comments, probably causing angst amongst readers as well!
But, thanks for the welcome you gave previously, and do let me know when I've overstayed the welcome.....
And in case I forget, Happy CNY to all!
My wish is that all who comes here to chat will build bridges instead of burning them. Let this be the kopitiam to chit chat and make friends even if the views are different.
Just wondering whether we Singaporeans are the Complaint Kings we're often described to be. Another "first" in the world?
Robert, do you have a blog? Your comments, like Redbean's are a good read.
Wally Buffet, thanks for the compliment. I like your name-sounds a bit like someone whom I have high regards for....Tsk! Tsk!
No I don't have a blog of my own - I just "kaypoh" and visit other people's blog and occasionally, if a topic interests me, I drop comments. Hopefully, some of my more contentious comments don't get me chased away....
And yes, I think some of the comments in Redbean's blog are interesting. Some a bit controversial/sensitive, so, because I scared lah... so, no comments, sometimes read only. A bit chicken, huh?!
An intelligent chicken. Knows when to open his "mouth" not like sorry Rony.
Hehe.
We are in good company. As I said in my earlier posts, my posts are meant to be provocative and not necessary about right or wrong. It is more about promoting discussion and thinking.
Another explanation when Singaporeans stop complaining could be that things have become so good there isn't any more need to complain.
Funny thing about life and human nature is that things never become too good or good enough......
Just a few observations:
- the grass always seem greener over the other side. Funny thing is that when we get there, it doesn't look so green after that. So, we have this thing about merry go round - those who are in want to get out. Those who are out, want to get in. Of course, there are exceptions. Some are so comfortable where they are, they don't want to move although there may be a long queue of those who want to take their place. But this is more the exception, I think.
- when you have 2 kids, (just for illustration, not real ok) and you give one kid $1, his face lights up. Very happy! Then you give his brother $2. The 1st kid now becomes unhappy. Despite the fact that both are now "richer" compared to previously. Or maybe you have 3 kids, and the 3rd kid got nothing. This may not necessarily make the 2nd kid happier either. Funny huh?
- someone used to earn $1,000 a month. After a while, his pay went up to $5,000 a month. He became happy, but only for a short while. Then his pay went up to $10,000 a month. Now he is happy again, but only for a while. Then his pay went up to $20,000 a month. Happy again.... for a while. And so it went on...Now, he is earning $30,000 a month, and somehow, he still doesn't feel that rich or that happy. Funny huh?
Just a few observations - the characters are just my a fickle of imagination. Don't mean to refer to anyone, past or present.
And by the way, that guy earning $30,000 per month is not me...or I probably won't be so free here typing out such non-sensical comments.
Oh, by the way, Redbean, I borrowed a little from your style of writing in my last comment. Hope it's not copyright and you don't mind.
Seemed quite fun or should it be "funny"!?
I hope the readers won't accidentally mistake me for you....
Hahaha, Robert, by all means. We are all beans, red, yellow, black or blue. The more redbeans the merrier.
Incidentally I am not too sure about my style either : )
How do we call a person who complain ? Complainant ? Accuser ? Grouser ? A judge ? An Assessor ? Or a Contributor ?
There used to be a patriot that complained a lot here, seems liked he/she has given up, for good or for bad.
It depends on the mindset of the one looking at the complaints. Some appreciate complaints and look at them positively. Some dislike complaints and look at them negatively.
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