Is saying "thank you" or a wave of acknowledgement for kind acts too much effort?

[True Believer]

It is a common observation in S'pore, which often leaves people annoyed, that kind and considerate gestures like holding the lift or any door open for another person, or giving away on the road to another car is usually met with no acknowledgement. In Western cultures, politeness is explicit i.e. saying thanks with a smile and clear eye contact, but politeness is often subtle or non-existent in S'pore. Holding a lift door or letting a car into our lane is often viewed simply as expected rather than an extraordinary favour; is this why S'poreans do not feel a formal "thank you" is required?

 

[syed putra]

This is chinese culture society. You polite, you fool. Nobody gives way to another. Its kill or be killed.

 

[True Believer]

This is chinese culture society. You polite, you fool. Nobody gives way to another. Its kill or be killed.

When a particular race fails miserably in a meritocracy, do not blame the govt when all races are treated equally. The blame should fall on those who do not excel academically, lack drive or propensity for hard work. Even with a leg up and some form of affirmative action, the Malays have not been able to compete with the Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups in SG.

 

[True Believer]

Regardless of the race of the driver, when giving away on the road to another car is usually met with no acknowledgement, drivers who normally give in to other motorists will soon decide to no longer do so.

 

[True Believer]

This is chinese culture society. You polite, you fool. Nobody gives way to another. Its kill or be killed.

Malaysian politicians recognise that their people are weak, unwilling to work hard and lack the entrepreneurial spirit. Malays are over represented in the prison, drug rehab and electronic tagging population in S'pore because they committed crimes. Why blame the SG govt and the Chinese for the criminal behaviour of Malays?