category
text entry
submitted by
Veronica Albela
Malaysia
title
A Structured Life
This was my first impression of Singapore after an absence of 20 years (my last visit was in 2006). Definitely older and wiser, my eyes appreciated the beauty of landscaped highways and byways, the courtesy of everyone in general and especially the clean, litter-free streets.
What particularly impressed me was the inability to spot a single cigarette butt on the streets throughout my one-week stay there ! As I traipsed regularly from my hotel to Raffles City
and its environs, I made it a daily quest to count the number of cigarette butts from my hotel to my destination. It was a personal comedy of errors as my eyes raked the streets each day for that elusive cigarette butt, despite strange looks from the locals at my obvious stoop and demeanour of looking for a lost item.
Coming from a city where litter is seen even in elegantly carpeted corridors of office buildings, one would understand my quirky quest.
On another level, I appreciated the discipline among the citizens. It was obvious in those in the service industry, especially the taxi drivers. This trait was also evident in the common man, and it took all my willpower not to lift my camera to photograph the delightfully orderly queue that I saw at the City Hall bus stop. Again,
I have to make comparisons – about what I experienced compared to what its like back home.
But then, isn't that what travel is all about? To experience what you don't get back home?
The thought did occur to me that I'd love to work here if given the chance.
Imagine having your bus or train arrive punctually - and what a treat to have a taxi driver who actually uses
his meter (which is not rigged). Which reminds me of this experience I had with a taxi driver who was not familiar with where I wanted to go. After driving around he finally admitted he did not know how to get to my destination and dropped me off at a major shopping centre where he assured me I could find another taxi to get me there.
He refused to accept payment and was hyperventilating with anxiety when he asked me not to report him, then scooted off. Goodness, I only wanted to pay him!
The reason all this appeals to me – structure, order and discipline – is because these exemplify the most basic of human values – to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In an ideal world, everyone waits their turn in line, is honest, punctual and considerate. And the closest I have come to that happening is right here, in Singapore.