http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20090311-127724.html
1 out of 10 Singaporeans unhappy with current level of graciousness
SINGAPORE - Singaporeans want equal treatment for all when it comes to courtesy, and more consideration towards the elderly, pregnant women and young children.
A recent survey commissioned by the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) to better understand local perceptions, found that only one out of 10 Singaporeans are unhappy with the current level of graciousness in the country. Half of those surveyed indicated that they were satisfied with the overall state of graciousness in Singapore.
However, over 65 per cent of those polled felt that Singaporeans do not treat everyone equally, irrespective of social status, when it comes to courtesy.
Over half also said Singaporeans were not considerate towards the elderly, pregnant women, and adults with very young children. When it came to the controversial practice of "chope-ing" seats at food courts, a majority of those polled saw it as unimportant to the overall level of graciousness.
The survey, conducted in late 2008 looked at gracious behaviours in five sectors in Singapore society - public places, home, work, school and on the roads. Findings showed that Singaporeans place highest importance on behaviour in public as they view this as a definitive gauge of a gracious society. Singaporeans consider Japan to be the most gracious country followed by Australia, Thailand, United States and place themselves fifth on the list when it comes to graciousness.
"The survey gives us a good understanding of where we have done well, and where we can improve. If each and everyone can, in simple ways, improve on our ungracious behaviour, we will help make Singapore a more pleasant place for everyone," said Mr Teh Thien Yew, General Manager, SKM Secretariat.
The Singapore Kindness Movement is launching a new campaign with the theme "Kindness, Bring It On", to remind people that the simplest gracious act by every member of society can make Singapore a pleasant place.
On the Road
Another finding from the survey was that Singaporeans were unhappy with what they perceived as inconsiderate behaviour on the road. Over 70 per cent indicated that the most aggravating behaviour by Singaporean drivers was the act of cutting lanes suddenly without warning and cutting into queues while waiting to turn at junctions. Sixty per cent of those polled also highlighted snatching of parking lots as another bad behaviour. On the positive side, Singaporean drivers tend not to use their horns or high beam indiscriminately.
At Work
In the work arena, over half the respondents felt that Singaporeans do not do their part to minimise office politics and more can be done. They also felt that juniors were not appreciated by seniors for their efforts.
In Schools
In schools, almost 70 per cent of those polled agreed that students were respectful towards their teachers and helpful to others but nearly 60 per cent indicated that students needed to improve on their punctuality.
At Home
Moving on to gracious behaviours in the home, a majority of the respondents agreed that Singaporeans show basic courtesy to family members and share in household responsibilities. But over half of those polled said Singaporeans were lacking in showing basic courtesy to their domestic helpers and suggested that this was an area that needed to be improved.
1 out of 10 Singaporeans unhappy with current level of graciousness
SINGAPORE - Singaporeans want equal treatment for all when it comes to courtesy, and more consideration towards the elderly, pregnant women and young children.
A recent survey commissioned by the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) to better understand local perceptions, found that only one out of 10 Singaporeans are unhappy with the current level of graciousness in the country. Half of those surveyed indicated that they were satisfied with the overall state of graciousness in Singapore.
However, over 65 per cent of those polled felt that Singaporeans do not treat everyone equally, irrespective of social status, when it comes to courtesy.
Over half also said Singaporeans were not considerate towards the elderly, pregnant women, and adults with very young children. When it came to the controversial practice of "chope-ing" seats at food courts, a majority of those polled saw it as unimportant to the overall level of graciousness.
The survey, conducted in late 2008 looked at gracious behaviours in five sectors in Singapore society - public places, home, work, school and on the roads. Findings showed that Singaporeans place highest importance on behaviour in public as they view this as a definitive gauge of a gracious society. Singaporeans consider Japan to be the most gracious country followed by Australia, Thailand, United States and place themselves fifth on the list when it comes to graciousness.
"The survey gives us a good understanding of where we have done well, and where we can improve. If each and everyone can, in simple ways, improve on our ungracious behaviour, we will help make Singapore a more pleasant place for everyone," said Mr Teh Thien Yew, General Manager, SKM Secretariat.
The Singapore Kindness Movement is launching a new campaign with the theme "Kindness, Bring It On", to remind people that the simplest gracious act by every member of society can make Singapore a pleasant place.
On the Road
Another finding from the survey was that Singaporeans were unhappy with what they perceived as inconsiderate behaviour on the road. Over 70 per cent indicated that the most aggravating behaviour by Singaporean drivers was the act of cutting lanes suddenly without warning and cutting into queues while waiting to turn at junctions. Sixty per cent of those polled also highlighted snatching of parking lots as another bad behaviour. On the positive side, Singaporean drivers tend not to use their horns or high beam indiscriminately.
At Work
In the work arena, over half the respondents felt that Singaporeans do not do their part to minimise office politics and more can be done. They also felt that juniors were not appreciated by seniors for their efforts.
In Schools
In schools, almost 70 per cent of those polled agreed that students were respectful towards their teachers and helpful to others but nearly 60 per cent indicated that students needed to improve on their punctuality.
At Home
Moving on to gracious behaviours in the home, a majority of the respondents agreed that Singaporeans show basic courtesy to family members and share in household responsibilities. But over half of those polled said Singaporeans were lacking in showing basic courtesy to their domestic helpers and suggested that this was an area that needed to be improved.
