Showing posts with label National Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Day. Show all posts

Saturday, August 11, 2018

5,000 take a walk for Singapore

Source Website: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/5000-take-walk-singapore
By The New Paper, 10 August 2018 at 06:00 am


5,000 people take part in a 3km walk or an 8km run to mark Singapore's 53rd birthday.
PHOTO: 5,000 people take part in a 3km walk or an 8km run to mark Singapore's 53rd birthday.
PHOTO: GAIN CITY
Picture posted by The New Paper on 10 August 2018 at 06:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH2w2hzHhd6D_0cMLCxV1_FXJ-VIMdK3TFruwhsEhgRlNwfg_VRTh2ojvV1s-RcrusjZgZOwtDFxeQJ9evJcezmrUOVFLJ0U7ORXddnHt-uDMWv85vcMEPmm114MkZoskWFCqkFojI5Y/s1600/NP_20180810_GAIN10_4199649.jpg
https://www.tnp.sg/sites/default/files/styles/rl780/public/articles/2018/08/10/NP_20180810_GAIN10_4199649.jpg?itok=uy9DfhBQ
https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/5000-take-walk-singapore


National Development Minister Lawrence Wong and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Alex Yam flagging off the Majulah Walk & Run 2018 on 09 August 2018 morning.

The event, jointly organised by the Yew Tee and Limbang Grassroots Organisations and supported by Gain City, saw close to 5,000 people take part in a 3km walk or an 8km run to mark Singapore's 53rd birthday.


National Development Minister Lawrence Wong and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Alex Yam flagging off the Majulah Walk & Run 2018 on 09 August 2018 morning.
PHOTO: National Development Minister Lawrence Wong and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Alex Yam flagging off the Majulah Walk & Run 2018 on 09 August 2018 morning.
Picture posted by Wallpaper-House.com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOp4qF_A32GSD9feCmfL6yHx3Rw2VVV3VDbuJQ-EBTv94Cf9Dv7ULdreJpdGGv3aLeuJdlh1RPwhk-hBWHVEsqQELc_MRaYu_tSeCas-HRd0XffI22NgTYnY7z-4M0pfQ80tlyz30H6jc/s1600/wallpaper2you_488892.jpg
https://wallpaper-house.com/data/out/12/wallpaper2you_488892.jpg
https://wallpaper-house.com/group/live-nature-wallpaper-for-pc/index.php


The event started off with a National Day Observance Ceremony at Choa Chu Kang Sports Complex and ended at Gain City Megastore @ Sungei Kadut, where participants enjoyed performances and carnival activities.


5,000 people take part in a 3km walk or an 8km run to mark Singapore's 53rd birthday, ended at Gain City Megastore @ Sungei Kadut.
PHOTO: 5,000 people take part in a 3km walk or an 8km run to mark Singapore's 53rd birthday, ended at Gain City Megastore @ Sungei Kadut.
Picture posted by v3wall.com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJhyphenhyphen3Dbp3rtQQ39LBTE3XA0VZ4L8kKTH8EAUaZWw-9nGNoc5iH8fBNUZ8qr0wJ2-rLeDQWKwSO3DnASHzcfyEV20DROQKTR0WgoXnNu1q2gsejK5UewtxS9d3QSEatuty8Z2k_Hrb1To/s1600/1366_768_20091104111335548709-1.jpg
http://www.v3wall.com/wallpaper/1366_768/0911/1366_768_20091104111335548709.jpg
http://www.v3wall.com/ko/html/pic_down/1366_768/pic_down_4086_1366_768.html

By The New Paper, 10 August 2018 at 06:00 am
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now



Reference
[1] The New Paper, 5,000 take a walk for Singapore, posted on 10 August 2018 at 06:00 am, https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/5000-take-walk-singapore

Links
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, August 6, 2015

黄鹂 (huáng lí) - 我爱新加坡 (Wǒ ài xīn jiā pō) - I love Singapore

Source Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbDKL8jLiD4
Posted by Eva Wong, Published on 3 August 2015


黄鹂1982年灌录的歌曲，特别情商台湾作词大师林煌坤跨刀制作。
PHOTO: 黄鹂1982年灌录的歌曲，特别情商台湾作词大师林煌坤跨刀制作。
Huáng lí 1982 nián guàn lù de gē qǔ, tè bié qíng shāng tái wān zuò cí dà shī lín huáng kūn kuà dāo zhì zuò.
Lyric and music composed by Lin Huang Kun, produced by Hsiang production
黄鹂1982年作品，由林煌坤作曲写词，新丽声出品。
Huáng lí 1982 nián zuò pǐn, yóu lín huáng kūn zuò qǔ xiě cí, xīn lì shēng chū pǐn.
Lyric and music composed by Lin Huang Kun, produced by "The new beautiful sound"
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBivb5uX5IipUwMG3l71y4BSNXKVpOBn3TsoTgshsZp_VjsoU0XLyld0fQ5Ql4WnGmYVrXI4hzkE7rrKRg_E3datQcERptwTqru714bGzljmlmPooPGHIWNXbugl4Zzig_wYwipr0OwVU/s1600/I+love+Singapore.jpg


歌曲(gē qǔ) Song: 我爱新加坡 (Wǒ ài xīn jiā pō) - I love Singapore
歌手(gē shǒu) Singer: 黄鹂 (huáng lí) - Wong Li
提供者(tí​ gōng​ zhě) Provider: -
作曲(zuò​ qǔ) Composer, Music: 林煌坤 (lín huáng kūn)
编辑(Biān jí) Editor: -
作词(zuò cí) Lyrics: 林煌坤 (lín huáng kūn)

------------☆☆------------

花因泥土的肥沃 - Flower because of the fertile soil
Huā yīn ní tǔ de féi wò

得开好花千万朵 - millions of flower bloom
dé kāi hǎo huā qiān wàn duǒ

我因国家的富强 - Because of my country's prosperity
wǒ yīn guó jiā de fù qiáng

得过美满的生活 - Able to led a happy life
dé guò měi mǎn de shēng huó

新加坡， 新加坡 - Singapore, Singapore
xīn jiā pō, xīn jiā pō

我爱新加坡 - I love Singapore
wǒ ài xīn jiā pō

你是我生长的地方 - You are where I grew up
nǐ shì wǒ shēng zhǎng dì dì fāng

孕育了辛富的我 - Gave birth to a happy and prosperous me
yùn yù le xīn fù de wǒ


-----☆ Music chorus ☆------

新加坡， 新加坡
孕育了辛富的我

------------☆☆------------

花因泥土的肥沃
得开好花千万朵
我因国家的富强
得过美满的生活
新加坡， 新加坡
我爱新加坡
你是我生长的地方
孕育了辛富的我

-----☆ Music chorus ☆------

我爱新加坡
我爱新加坡
新加坡， 新加坡
我爱新加坡

------------☆☆------------

花因泥土的肥沃
得开好花千万朵
我因国家的富强
得过美满的生活
新加坡， 新加坡
我爱新加坡
你是我生长的地方
孕育了辛富的我

-----☆ Music chorus ☆------

新加坡， 新加坡
我爱新加坡

------------☆ End ☆------------


黄鹂 (huáng lí) - 爱新加坡 (Wǒ ài xīn jiā pō) - Wong Li - I Love Singapore
PHOTO: 黄鹂 (huáng lí) - 爱新加坡 (Wǒ ài xīn jiā pō) - Wong Li - I Love Singapore
Posted by choonheng57, Published on 19 October 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUykav8At6bCLAXRYwnh6a99wY45_JaklEFolBhgEJum55DzPWG4Prn9TMVxhbJlO0rXHuXxsw69asPiOU5BWnVV1jmwHi0S6SIC_5RTr4S4PDTNlukBtQlVSy-eJYXvAwAZG3jn2SlxE/s1600/maxresdefault-1.jpg
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rI-qut7FFzk/maxresdefault.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI-qut7FFzk
 

黄鹂 (huáng lí) - 我爱新加坡 (Wǒ ài xīn jiā pō) - I love Singapore
Posted by Eva Wong, Published on 3 August 2015

From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbDKL8jLiD4


黄鹂 (huáng lí)--我爱新加坡 (Wǒ ài xīn jiā pō) --Wong Li--I Love Singapore
Posted by choonheng57, Published on 20 December 2013

From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJyPg_5ed7Y
 

黄鹂 (huáng lí)--我爱新加坡 (Wǒ ài xīn jiā pō) --Wong Li--I Love Singapore
Posted by choonheng57, Published on 5 August 2014

From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRq5Yxlnxpk


黃鸝--Wong Li--茉莉花-萬事如意-曼卡灣索羅-我愛新加坡-平凡--往日的痕迹--芳心靜如水-杜鵑花

From: https://www.youtube.com/embed/bNFFfuaUDS8


Peaceful enviroment can quiet the troubled heart
PHOTO: Peaceful enviroment can quiet the troubled heart
明天也许会到 - Tomorrow may arrive
Míng tiān yě xǔ huì dào

可是带来的又是忧愁 - But again brought forth sorrow
kě shì dài lái de yòu shì yōu chóu

不知不觉五十年以过 - Unknowingly fifty years has passed
bù zhī bù jué wǔ shí nián yǐguò

我们这些没有人要的老东西 - Those old stuff like us, whom nobody wants
wǒ men zhè xiē méi yǒu rén yào de lǎo dōng xī

永远没有人要 - Forever nobody wants
yǒng yuǎn méi yǒu rén yào

我以为我是独特 - I thought I was unique
wǒ yǐ wéi wǒ shì dú tè

如今羞得无地自容 - Now so ashamed and nowhere to hide
Rú jīn xiū dé wú dì zì róng

烂命一条 - Left a rotten life
làn mìng yī tiáo

Picture posted by 优雅芳 (Yōu yǎ fāng) on 26 December 2012 at 15:55:25
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXrZS3e20pq-XwQPP7MdIKU0j2Pl9YoFACmy2pniaNM9d-mVq1Litt3pa7H5JN1tODFDV_BTFwCYp8uyEAXtGJM0jgBjexUObVwSPYdzfQGBC5mUy3u3BarCrP2RKScpTcBQMJS_ikEI/s1600/6597266579238909939.jpg
http://img.ph.126.net/bVBnpcUAZRl4OzBnyrHoyQ==/6597266579238909939.jpg
http://youyafa.blog.163.com/blog/static/1720457432012112514752265?suggestedreading



Reference
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, July 22, 2013

National Day song sees covers

My Paper, Monday, July 22, 2013, Page A3, News, Song debate
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/emnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2013-07-22
Source Website: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130722-438976.html
By Jocelyn Tan, tanjoce@sph.com.sg, My Paper, Monday, Jul 22, 2013


A screen grab of the music video for Shine Singapore, composed and performed by singer-songwriter Lorraine Tan.
A screen grab of the music video for Shine Singapore, composed and performed by singer-songwriter Lorraine Tan.
PHOTO: Online Hit: A screen grab of the music video for Shine Singapore, composed and performed by singer-songwriter Lorraine Tan. Some have suggested that it be made the official National Day song.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yKa8f9q2v9d4G6-2nDyHPS5ht4YnF7yWe5K88eQo_IA95pb0ZAgRojW-ZH-MRI4YGyCXkqSwNQ19mFD_mbgi3BD2ik38Q8ULfblqjgixQZlpfQDQNCzNO0V1YQD2so2GQfdrMPfhqa0m/s1600/National+Day+song+sees+covers.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS47DE8mZ-t9I1Tdr-0z8kkMKP5NRm6DDEo476EjfbTe6BdY2hQBkE0CoMdsjiSxWIBfjB5uxzZ0a0ANnBzstWyKL4_la5w6hD7OtFZvhtI024axsGiPs_o9dujIYwGHFoThSQZizL3Kiv/s1600/National+Day+song+sees+covers-1.jpg
http://www.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/news/07Jul13/others/20130722.083812_20130722_shine-singapore.jpg
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130722-438976.html


SINGAPORE - The official National Day song, One Singapore, garnered a flood of negative reviews following its release last week and many Singaporeans have gone online to post alternative versions of the song with reworked melodies as well as lyrics.

Some have even suggested that a song called Shine Singapore, composed by Ms Lorraine Tan, 34, should be made the official National Day song instead.


Shine Singapore, composed by Ms Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
PHOTO: Shine Singapore, composed by Ms Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
Lorraine filming Shine Singapore MTV 2013 @ the Marina Barrage Singapore
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-inyWcgDmhCEoAbZIfw3HHKvkjArDwJecgq2VhtmhXtqJHHtGb6xn2pdF7SXYFKsuDZZNTvuQuz6HUx2iXjeIWlHAM07eQj7_cTRvkJJ2YtSdS57aIbIAEgZqzx2DME7nXktRXB08i4w3/s1600/540692_552418951485540_73249996_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/540692_552418951485540_73249996_n.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=552418951485540&set=pb.115919618468811.-2207520000.1374485924.&type=3&theater


English and Mandarin music videos for Shine Singapore were shot and uploaded to YouTube last Sunday, with the English version garnering over 31,000 views as of 8pm yesterday.

Shine Singapore will be performed at a National Day charity fund-raising concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall on Aug 6.

Proceeds from ticket sales and merchandise will go to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.


Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn with Charmian Tee.
PHOTO: Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn with Charmian Tee.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPy7x_J6hfRGoNvCfUoOSCmwFeoAvEkzykwvpO8oTABMGig68Rm6nU2N5LJK_kUcGlO5dtVAcsevPpTcyi08K6jCL1la4QSyYQYjPaPh1fHJWQnWT00zbF9qkE08ZFJ24Bn0kPMTEQGDl/s1600/944718_541359925924776_760163732_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/944718_541359925924776_760163732_n.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=541359925924776&set=pb.115919618468811.-2207520000.1374486488.&type=3&theater


Speaking to My Paper, Ms Tan said that National Day songs are "very difficult to write", adding that "it is always very challenging to meet the expectations and standards set by the older songs".

Ms Tan added that the composition of National Day songs should incorporate public opinion to reflect what Singaporeans want in a song.


My Singapore 2013
PHOTO: Ms Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
My Singapore 2013 "SHINE SINGAPORE" MTV English and Chinese versions now on Youtube
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9GosI-C6T5KpAZ_zKw47vSCPaCD4tpyC6WFABJAHYfm6YZP7ekm2RCimVpQ3qLlUET_I83p_IfpLSrkEH9Ga8UqfzSpMMhyphenhyphenmcLvon3QRjY0p1CprchsER93AekkcQeqfR8Ddpq_pXIp5/s1600/1014136_552418751485560_1024049710_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1014136_552418751485560_1024049710_n.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=552418751485560&set=pb.115919618468811.-2207520000.1374486636.&type=3&theater


One Singapore was composed by music director Elaine Chan, 42, with actress Selena Tan, 42, providing the lyrics.

Another popular alternative which has gained traction was put together in less than a day by home-grown band Pitch Feather and posted online last Thursday.

Their version has since received over 12,000 plays on music-streaming site SoundCloud.


Lorraine Tan's youngest 2 yr old fan; her niece Reyes BB who can sing 'My Singapore' already.... (2 words).
PHOTO: Lorraine Tan's youngest 2 yr old fan; her niece Reyes BB who can sing 'My Singapore' already.... (2 words).


Band frontman Alberta Leong, 25, said that when she first heard the original One Singapore, she felt that its arrangement was too complicated. She said: "Certain parts of the (phrasing) were a little awkward. It came across as (a song from) a musical more than a theme song that common folk could sing along to."

Only after a few listens did she realise that the song had good chord progression and would sound better with a rearrangement.

There is also an acoustic-guitar version of One Singapore by Ms Tan Siling, 25, lead singer of home-grown band The Animal Parade, which got over 17,000 views after it was posted on YouTube last Wednesday.


Ms Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
PHOTO: Ms Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīnLorraine filming Shine Singapore MTV 2013 @ the Marina Barrage Singapore


A clip by home-grown songwriter and producer Eli T, who recorded a soulful organ cover of the song, has received over 10,000 views since last Thursday.

In a prologue to the video, he said he initially "hated on" One Singapore, but felt that the song had a "really good melody line".


Lorraine filming Shine Singapore MTV 2013 @ the Marina Barrage Singapore
PHOTO: Ms Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
Lorraine filming Shine Singapore MTV 2013 @ the Marina Barrage Singapore


Home-grown music producer Leonard Soosay said that One Singapore's composition is "weak" and that covers have emerged because of unhappiness among patriotic Singaporeans.

He said: "It is not that (National Day Parade organisers) cannot produce good songs. They can, but the song needs to be given to the right people to compose."  
By Jocelyn Tan, tanjoce@sph.com.sg, My Paper, Monday, Jul 22, 2013

 
"My Singapore" 2013 community & charity project by Lorraine Tan 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn, in celebration of National Day: "SHINE SINGAPORE" THEME SONG

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-7HKFduAqA

Official Beneficiary: THE STRAITS TIMES SCHOOL POCKET MONEY FUND
Proceeds of CDs, T-shirts and Concert tickets are FULLY DONATED.
 
My Singapore 2013 CHARITY CONCERT :
6 AUG 2013, 730pm Esplanade Concert Hall. Sponsor a Kid's ticket at $68.
 
To Buy Tickets Email: Mysgticketing@singapore.com or
Call: 91682947 for enquiries

Buy CDs & T-shirts @ HMV & all Singapore Sa Sa outlets

Presenting Charity Sponsor: CapitaLand Hope Foundation ( Philanthropy Arm of CapitaLand)
Co-Presenter: Lam Chuan Import-Export Pte Ltd
SHINE SINGAPORE LYRICS
Songwriters: Shaowen (Dr. SM Yuen) & Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
Lyrics & Vocals : Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
Music Produced by Wedding Harmony & Pink Piano Productions
MTV Produced by Oh Boy Productions

Once upon a time when hope was lost
All alone nowhere to go
Then you came to lend a helping hand
You gave me strength
for this was what you said

Don't be afraid Don't stop believing
Hope is a shining light that guides and shows the way
(You can) Be brave and take a step of faith
Make the world a better place
for you and I will lead the way

We'll keep on shining, Shine Singapore
Reach out to every friend show them that you care
(Just) Keep on shining
One voice one heart we'll keep the love alive
Stand up for what is right
the stars are shining bright ( as long as stars...... shines bright)

Visit FB pages:
www.facebook.com/mysingapore.by.lorraine­tan
www.facebook.com/lorrainetan.fanpage

Artiste's Website: www.lorrainetan.com

My Singapore 2013 community & charity project by Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn: "SHINE SINGAPORE" THEME SONG in Mandarin

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5GQDdDlbHc

Official Beneficiary: THE STRAITS TIMES SCHOOL POCKET MONEY FUND
Proceeds of CDs, T-shirts and Concert tickets are FULLY DONATED.

My Singapore 2013 CHARITY CONCERT : 6 AUG 2013, 730pm Esplanade Concert Hall. Sponsor a Kid's ticket at $68.
 
To Buy Tickets Email: Mysgticketing@singapore.com or
Call: 91682947 for enquiries

Presenting Charity Sponsor: CapitaLand Hope Foundation ( Philanthropy Arm of CapitaLand)
Co-Presenter: Lam Chuan Import-Export Pte Ltd

唱：陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
曲: 袁少文 Yuán shào wén，陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
词：耳卵石 ěr luǎn ​shí， 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn

城市里 人来人往
脚步声 太冲忙
偶然忘了 将速度放慢
感受世界 感受快乐片断

每一个人 都拥有力量
去协助 去拯救 用爱 战胜黑暗
每一颗心 都拥有梦想
逆境让人更坚强 勇敢就能看见希望

用真心感动 勇敢去梦
请握住我的手 一起向前走

每一句感谢，都附上一道发自内心的笑容
快乐世界大同，换大大的感动 (心动不如行动)

(小小一个举动，换大大的感动，爱是我们心中，最幸福的感动)

My Singapore: A Community and Charity Project by Lorraine Tan, 陈莉芯 Chén lì xīn
Visit FB pages:
www.facebook.com/mysingapore.by.lorraine­tan
www.facebook.com/lorrainetan.fanpage


HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn

Lyrics: 歌词 gē​ cí
Charity fund raising: 慈善募捐 cí shàn mù juān
Arrangement: 编曲 biān qǔ
Patriotic: 爱国的 ài guó de



Reference 
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Are Singaporeans ungracious?

The Strait Times, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, Page A6, National Day Rally: Reactions
Source Website: http://kindness.sg/2012/08/are-singaporeans-ungracious/
By Andrea Ong, andreao@sph.com.sg
By Goh Chin Lian, chinlian@sph.com.sg
By SKM | Tuesday, 28 August 2012 | Articles, General, Press


quick to criticise foreigners’ bad behaviour but slow to notice good actions
PHOTO: Mr Lee highlighted a “rising trend of not so good behaviour”, like residents who do not want nursing homes in their backyard. He was also worried by the “one-eyed dragon” syndrome, in which some Singaporeans are quick to criticise foreigners’ bad behaviour but slow to notice good actions.
ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0hvyasAyTdKGdqsC1rBw52QpNye771-F05xyQj5_UDPQ48E89huHO7yp77UmOos8JsS_B8JjLgeSug53uletMcidhsIJJBJosXz1LCuxqBJoXW8nJXLjxpU_WF6aTYUN2t2WNpEsUDjm/s1600/ST280812.jpg
http://kindness.sg/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ST280812.jpg
http://kindness.sg/2012/08/are-singaporeans-ungracious/


YES: Stress levels raised by sense of being squeezed

TEMPERS are getting shorter and actions becoming nastier in Singapore, said some community leaders and analysts yesterday.

They agreed with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who in the National Day Rally on Sunday had flagged “troubling signs” in Singaporeans’ behaviour towards each other and foreigners.

But in analysing the causes of the problem, some went a step further by noting that it may partly be of the state’s own making.

In his speech, Mr Lee highlighted a “rising trend of not so good behaviour”, like residents who do not want nursing homes in their backyard. He was also worried by the “one-eyed dragon” syndrome, in which some Singaporeans are quick to criticise foreigners’ bad behaviour but slow to notice good actions.

Mr Lee said the loss of the kampung spirit may be one reason “we seem to be getting less patient, less tolerant, less willing to compromise to get along”.

People now lead more private lives and interact less, leading to self-centred behaviour, he said.

Things get worse when you add the stresses of living in a dense city, said National University of Singapore (NUS) sociologist Paulin Straughan. “When you step out of the house, you can’t get to the MRT, when you’re on the MRT, people are in your face. It can change your whole outlook of life,” she said.

Unlike in other countries, Singaporeans do not have the option of moving to the suburbs when life gets too stressful or expensive in the city, added NUS political scientist Reuben Wong. “We’re living in a goldfish bowl which is too small.”

The sense of being squeezed – especially in the past six years – has contributed to Singaporeans’ unhappiness with foreigners.

“Singaporeans are not xenophobic (unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers),” noted former National Integration Council member Edward D’Silva, adding foreigners have always been present here.

He said Singaporeans now feel strongly against foreigners not so much out of double standards, but because of festering resentment that they have seemingly been passed over despite sacrificing for the country.

Others like sociologists Tan Ern Ser and Mathew Mathews pointed to the competitive environment which creates a self-serving attitude.

“When people feel their interests threatened, they tend not to display a spirit of generosity,” said Prof Tan.

Self-interest is also the unintended side-effect of two cornerstones of Singaporean society: meritocracy and self-reliance.

On Sunday, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, also speaking at the Rally, said “extreme meritocracy and competition can lead to a winner-take-all society, with the winners thinking little of others”.

The Government’s emphasis on self-reliance, with “little outright social safety nets”, means people are conditioned to take care of themselves first, added Ms Corinna Lim, executive director of the Association of Women for Action and Research.

Most observers agreed social media has changed how people interact. Nominated MP Faizah Jamal said the angry online chatter could be because people did not have a channel for speaking up prior to the Internet.

But Singaporeans are in the process of learning how to “disagree without being personal”, said Madam Faizah.
By Andrea Ong, andreao@sph.com.sg
First published in The Straits Times – August 28, 2012



quick to criticise foreigners’ bad behaviour but slow to notice good actions
PHOTO: Some observers say only a minority of Singaporeans behave badly towards fellow citizens and foreigners, but their acts are often blown out of proportion.
ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0hvyasAyTdKGdqsC1rBw52QpNye771-F05xyQj5_UDPQ48E89huHO7yp77UmOos8JsS_B8JjLgeSug53uletMcidhsIJJBJosXz1LCuxqBJoXW8nJXLjxpU_WF6aTYUN2t2WNpEsUDjm/s1600/ST280812.jpg
http://kindness.sg/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ST280812.jpg
http://kindness.sg/2012/08/are-singaporeans-ungracious/


NO: It’s a minority made louder by social media

ONLY a minority of Singaporeans behave badly towards fellow citizens and foreigners, some observers say, but their acts are often blown out of proportion.

Besides, they add, ungracious behaviour has been around for many years; only, they are now being amplified by social media, giving the impression of increasingly ugly behaviour here.

“The majority of us are gracious,” said Mr Chua Thian Poh, president of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations. “It’s only the vocal minority that makes us look bad.”

The dean of Nanyang Technological University’s College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Professor Alan Chan, noted that even Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had made it clear that the few incidents he cited should not be over-generalised.

Said Prof Chan: “There are also examples of ‘big-heartedness’ that would make us all proud.”

Observers said most Singaporeans were peace-loving, polite and respectful of others.

Ms Wong Soon Fen, 49, would likely prove their case. The university lecturer invites foreign students to her home and takes them around Singapore.

“It’s not that Singaporeans aren’t warm-hearted, but we are too busy sometimes,” she said. “If you ask us to help, we’ll help. But we don’t go out of our way to make people feel at home – or we don’t know how to.”

Some blamed social media for exaggerating the situation.

“Singaporeans are sensible, but new media is very loud,” noted sociologist Paulin Straughan. “There’s no need for 1,000 voices to be heard. You just need one mischief maker at the keyboard to stir up unhappiness.”

Nominated MP Janice Koh, too, said that Singaporeans behaving badly was nothing new – only it largely went unreported.

“Even in PM Goh Chok Tong’s time, we were conscious of the need to develop a more gracious society, that certain ‘ugly’ Singaporean habits like littering and so on had to be addressed.

“I’ve been driving in Singapore for more than 10 years. It’s always been stressful. Perhaps road manners have not necessarily gotten worse, but now we can tweet about it. We can install cameras in our cars to record that bad behaviour and put it on Facebook.”

Still, observers stressed that the issue of bad behaviour should not be trivialised.

Whether or not it was a minority that lacked graciousness, the PM’s message was “a timely exhortation and reminder, if we aspire to be a first-world country in all senses of the word”, said sociologist Tan Ern Ser.

The chairman of the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle in Kolam Ayer, Mr K.J. Nair, warned that care should be taken so that the minority did not grow into a larger group. He said: “We must try to correct these people. Talk to them, ask them to participate in activities… to be part of society and community.”

Singaporeans could also learn from ethical and religious traditions, suggested Prof Chan, the chairman of NTU’s Confucius Institute. After all, he noted, PM Lee had alluded (suggest or call attention to indirectly) to the golden rule: Treat others the same way you want others to treat you.

Agreeing, Ms Wong said she had experienced the warmth of people in Nepal where she taught English for a year as a volunteer: “They invited me to their homes and made sure I wasn’t left out.”
By Goh Chin Lian, chinlian@sph.com.sg
First published in The Straits Times – August 28, 2012


Reference
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)