Are Singaporeans more gracious now?

S'poreans more gracious now, but still room for improvement: survey
By Lin Jiamei | Posted: 22 April 2010 1458 hrs


SINGAPORE : Singaporeans may be more conscious of the need to clear their plates at hawker centres but are still not showing enough courtesy on the roads, according to a graciousness survey conducted earlier this year by the Singapore Kindness Movement.

Some 1,000 people were polled in the survey which is into its second year.

The respondents, who are mostly locals, were asked if Singaporeans are gracious in six areas – including behaviour on public transport, at work and while driving.

There was an improvement in about half of these behavioural traits and a drop in the other half, compared to the results last year.

One particular area of improvement is the clearing of plates and trays after meals.

According to the Kindness Movement, more people seem to be doing so - from 7 per cent last year to 18 per cent this year.

However, it recognises that the figures are still low and there is still a big room for improvement.

Other areas which saw improvements include keeping public toilets clean, and allowing passengers to alight first.

The areas which saw a drop in the perceived level of graciousness - being considerate to the elderly and pregnant women, parents showing respect for teachers, and driving manners.

For example, 60 per cent of the respondents said parents here show respect for teachers, a drop from 72 per cent last year.

The survey also found that a significant proportion of the respondents - termed the indifferent group - do not really care whether Singaporeans are gracious or otherwise.

"The indifferent group tend to be bit bigger in Singapore as compared to countries like China, Thailand or Malaysia - they tend to be a bit more either negative or positive. But Singapore, we are known for that group of fence-sitters - we sit in the middle, we do not have an opinion, some call it 'bo-chapness'," said Raymond Ng, MD of Added Value Saffron Hill.

Moving forward, the Kindness Movement said there are plans to include foreigners and tourists on their perception of the level of graciousness in Singapore.

Overall, Singaporeans scored 61 on the graciousness index, three points more than last year. - CNA /ls

Here is a quick summary of this article:
1)A survey has shown that singaporeans are more gracious now,but it could be further improve.
2)Improvements:Clearing their plates and trays after meals,keeping public toilets clean and allowing passengers to alight first.
3)However,there is a drop in the percentage in the perceived level of graciousness - being considerate to the elderly and pregnant women, parents showing respect for teachers and driving manners.
4)There is also are group of indifferent people who does not seems to be bother whether Singaporeans are gracious or otherwise.

My views:
Firstly,what is graciousness?Well,graciousness is about the excellence of manners or social conduct/the quality of being kind and gentle.On a whole,i feel that singaporeans are more gracious than before.For example,more people are giving up their seats on busess and trains for elderly,small children or passengers who are carrying several heavy items.Further more,i have also seen most passengers(including young teenagers) giving up their seats on their own free will for others who need it more.Nowadays,people will allow passenges to alight first before bording the bus or trains.We also seldom see people putting their belongings on a table to reserve the seats too.In some fast food restaurant,people will clear their trays after meals or leave as soon as possible to allow other customers to find a seat.Drivers should turn on signals and be more patient on the roads.All this is being very considerate and unselfish.

Its is very important to be gracious as it shows the up bringing of a person.By saying sorry or thank you,we are being respectfull and courteous to others.We should think of the impact of our inconsiderate actions on others before doing it as we would not want the same thing to happen on us to.If we did not set a good example, the younger generations will also follow suite.Tourists will not tend to return to singapore if singaporeans are not gracious and it would create a bad name for us if they were to return to their country with unpleasant memories.Small actions such as offering help or greeting others is also graciousness.Eventually,being gracious will also benefit us as we will feel good after doing something good.

Lastly,there is still room for improvement for being more gracious.Hopefully, one day the signs to remind us to be considerate could be remove and we can naturally be gracious to one another.By then Singapore will not only be known as a clean and green city,but also a "gracious city".