If you want to know the real reason why Singapore is lauded for being clean and green, it has a lot to do with a group of people a lot of Singaporeans complain about - foreign workers. For all their quirks and idiosyncrasies, many of them do work Singaporeans wouldn't think of doing, working hours that begin before sunrise and end long after sundown, while earning wages that are only a fortune when compared with what they have back home.
Yes, they are here to earn money and must make an effort to assimilate, but as these photos demonstrate, Singaporeans should not expect them to pick up after us. Whatever happened to no one owes Singapore a living?
So thank you, guys, for making Singapore clean and green. Thanks for contributing to our economy, and we hope you like our home and respect it. We hope we've shown you the same respect in return.
So when burning your joss paper and enjoying a few drinks at a Malay wedding, please spare a thought for the guy that has to clean up after you on Chinese New Year. After all, if others have to clean up after us, how are we better than incontinent infants?
And gratitude is the altruistic dimension of giving. Well said Aaron.
ReplyDeleteAnd got a book for you, Authentic Happiness: Using positive psychology to realise your potential for lasting fulfillment by Seligman(2002)
ReplyDeleteYou own the book? I studied Seligman last year!
ReplyDeleteStill sitting on the shelf. Been off a few times. Great book isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYeah, a real different look at psychology.
ReplyDelete