Have you read this article by Charlotte Ashton on BBC? Would you agree?
I am sorry the writer feels the way she did but I think many of us would be able to relate to some of her experiences. I remember my wife facing the same situation. When she was expecting, there was a period when she injured her arm and it was in a sling and yet, no one offered her a seat on the MRT. People pretended to sleep or not to notice.
We do hear of stories of people being callous, indifferent, unfeeling. And I guess we need to look at ourselves and ask if we too sometimes reflect these ugly traits in the little things that we do or say, or don't do and don't say when we really should do the right thing.
Truth is, we often do know what is the right thing to do. And we can, if we choose to.
Many do. In fact, many of us can also cite examples of wonderful kind-hearted Singaporeans who reach out to others and make that difference to those around them. I certainly have encountered many of these Singaporeans, young and old, who go that extra mile.
Building a gracious society starts with everyone of us. When we begin to care for those around us, we would have started building not only a gracious society, but perhaps a great nation.
Are we up to it? It's not easy but let's keep trying. All of us. Jiayou!
Viewpoint: Does Singapore deserve its 'miserable' tag?
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26546169
Minister Tan Chuan Jin
*Comment first appeared on his Facebook page here.