Our future

I had a very interesting conversation with a colleague from Mainland China the other day.

We were discussing about the future; comparing the opportunities in both our home countries.

Knowing that many Mainland Chinese are fiercely patriotic, I had the urge to ask her why. Being Singaporean, patriotism is basically a myth. We find it hard to nurture Singaporeans to be patriots, many had tried but with limited success.

She told me the reason was simple; our roots are not here. To be more specific, whether you are Chinese, Malay or Indian, most likely your ancestors migrated to Singapore. Basically we are descendants of migrants, be it workers or business owners. Our ancestors came to this country seeking wealth and opportunities, where there were lack of back in their hometown.

I agreed with that statement. Many older Chinese in Singapore, like my grandmother, had wanted to return to their homeland and spend their remaining days there.

My colleague added that, many Mainland Chinese working here faced a similar situation as our forefathers. However, in times of crisis, such as the recent earthquake in Sichuan, many of the migrants would be united in their efforts to help their countrymen back home.

As her husband has recently gotten citizenship in Singapore, I went on to ask about her plans for the future. She told me that she will remain a citizen of China, as she believed that in the future, China would be a much more prosperous country where opportunities are plenty. That confidence is not based on blind faith.

She told me she cannot see the future of Singapore.

A very strong and curious statement, which compelled me to probe further.

She related an incident during her holiday in which one family was travelling on business class.

During the meal service, satay (a local dish of meat kebabs in peanut sauce) was served. Usually, the flight attendant would dish out a plate of 3 sticks for each passenger, so that everyone gets an equal share.
When the trolley came to this family of 4, the younger boy used both his hands and happily retrieved all the chicken satay meant for everyone, onto his own plate. The parents kept quiet.

The trolley had to return and replenish the items. When it was pushed out again, this time the older boy, with slightly more manners, requested from the attendant to put as many sticks on his plate as possible. In his words, 'as many and as much as possible'. Again the parents kept mum.

Of course, some of you may not see anything wrong with growing children asking for more food. However, do consider the fact that it was only halfway through and the remaining passengers had not being served. Secondly, which many Singaporean adults are equally guilty of, not everything in life is a buffet.

This example is just one of the many displayed by Singaporean parents. By keeping their silence, parents failed to educate their children on the importance of manners and being considerate. At such a young age, many kids are selfish and do things that only benefits themselves. Without proper manners, we are nurturing a nation of rude, egotistical, self-centred and inconsiderate brats. Children are supposed to be our future, if parents fail to see the importance and remain aloof to the situation, then Singapore's future is bleak.

She further added that she will never raise her kids in our country, because at least in China, many parents care, and teaches their children proper manners and social etiquette.

'What about the recent melamine scare?' I questioned, trying to save some national pride. 'For every one step forward that China takes, they seem to take two steps back.'

Calm and composed, my colleague added that China is making the transition from a developing country to a developed one. There are bound to be teething problems, but at least they are being addressed at an earlier stage. The public is more aware and would scrutinised every detail from now on. It is going to help China become a more socially responsible nation, after events like that.

The conversation really got me thinking; patriotism, nationalism, and social responsibility are not going to be achieved by our government imposing fines and strict laws. It can only be done with the change of attitude and actions taken by the people to make things happen.

If Singaporeans stick to their hands-off approach about national issues and keep on being selfish about their own existence, there would be no progress. In the next 20, 30 or even 100 years, things will remain the same. Singapore will still be known as the 'kiasu' nation and its people deemed rude and unwelcome everywhere.