Singaporeans are U-G-L-Y

Picture this: You are waiting for the train to come. You are late and you cannot afford that. Oh, good heavens, the station is crowded with commuters like you rushing to work.
1 more minute and the train will come. Just breathe and wait for it. What can you do?
As the train approaches the platform and grinds to a stop, you see people unable to get out as the ones trying to get in are blocking their way. It is then finally clear for you to get on the train. You had to practically squeeze and shove your way through and your little "Excuse me!" is not helping much as people just give you that look that says "I don't care".
And when you are finally done with rubbing shoulders with people and feeling mildly violated, you realise that there is a vast amount of space in the middle of the cabin. You are stuck with your face practically in the armpit of a really tall guy. Who, lucky you, has body odour. What could be worse?


Okay, while this is an exaggerated scenario, most of us can identify with squeezing into a crowded train only to find the center of the cabin completely empty and being unable to get out of the train as people are practically pushing you back in. This scene is especially typical in City Hall and Jurong East MRT station.

I do not understand why most Singaporeans are in a rush. Honestly, it annoys me to no extend. Commuters at Jurong East station are constantly rushing towards the train in the middle just so they can reach their next destination faster. Whether their reasons for getting there fast is valid or not, one can only guess. It is as if the next train will arrive an hour later. And what I find most irritating is when they actually run towards the train and the train is not even showing signs that it is leaving the station. The doors are not closing and there is no pre-recorded warning message. On the other hand, it is also amusing to see them running for the train and then having to wait for it to actually move! Also, while waiting for the train, some people push themselves to the front to get a prime seat on the train. Once, I even saw a person running towards a seat that another person had set their sights on. And once she had planted herself on the seat, she ignored the other person and pretended she did not notice that the other person was going for the seat as well.

I cannot express how much disgust I felt. I was ashamed. How much uglier can you get?

Also, if you're trying to get out of the train at City Hall, you have to wrestle, shove and push your way out. I am not a fan of this as I tend to carry big bags and I always have the fear that pickpockets might use this as an opportune moment to snatch belongings. As a result, I am constantly annoyed when I get out at City Hall.


The Singaporean culture has taught us not to lose out. To be "kiasu". However, I feel that there is a LIMIT to this. One cannot constantly hark on being the best, the first and a pioneer. Sometimes, one has to let another person who is more experienced take the wheel. In some countries, one actually has the decency to let people get out first before they get in, give up their seats to old ladies and pregnant women, and move to allow more people to get on the train. A simple thought, gesture and understanding can move mountains.

However, I know that these are only isolated case. I have seen, just as often, kind hearted Singaporeans who show exemplary social behaviour and also foreigners who are just plain rude. I suppose it just depends on luck what kind of people you meet and also your level of tolerance to typical Singaporean habits.