Sedia!
In Lionel de Souza's letter which appeared on TODAY (Tuesday, 06th August, 2008), he wrote about how some people were totally disrespectful of Singapore's national anthem, Majullah Singapura (no, it’s not Mari Kita). This happened at two GRC dinners which the writer attended. These disrespectful pricks were walking and talking as though there were oblivious to the National Anthem.
I wonder if these pricks were Singaporeans born in Singapore or foreign immigrants who became Singapore citizens.
It’s more unforgiveable for Singaporeans born in Singapore to show utter disrespect when the National Anthem is being sung by standing still in the “sedia” position. Chances of foreign immigrants being unfamiliar with Singapore’s national anthem are definitely higher than locally-born and bred Singaporeans who are unfamiliar with the song.
This brings me to the point of the trend where more foreigners are immigrating to Singapore and adopting Singapore citizenship. If locally-born and bred Singaporeans can’t even show some basic respect to the national anthem by standing still when it’s being sung, how can we expect the same from foreign immigrants? And as more immigrants come into Singapore, would this mean more talking and walking around at GRC dinners and similar events when the national anthem is being sung?
posted by Mockingbird at
9:18 AM
6 Comments:
What about the primary school kids who can't even say the pledge correctly?
i think for it's still forgiveable for lower primary students. But for upper primary students, it's inexcusable to be unable to say one's pledge correctly.
It seems the general behaviour of our society is getting worse.. just look at our roads, trains, buses, hawker centres, etc and you know graciousness is a dream! Any act of respect should come from the heart, without persuasion or motive.
To Joepsc: i can't agree with you more pal. Our social grace is increasingly becoming rare. In fact, it seems to be on the verge of extinction!
I think it's no better this side of the Causeway. Just yesterday evening, I saw a smartly dressed driver of the car flicking out his cigarette butt like it was such a natural thing to do.
I still see people nonchalantly disposing of their tissue paper from their car. One time, it was rambutan skins! Will I see durian skins I wonder. Oops! I digress. Back to the "Negara ku".... After school, many of us have forgotten the lyrics but at functions, people normally stand up while it is being played or sung.
To Happysurfer: If Singapore and Malaysia have anything in common then it must be their sore lack of social grace. Both countries are far from being gracious societies.
Well, at least Malaysians have the basic decency of standing up when Negara ku is being played or sung. Maybe it's because it has fewer foreign immigrants? Especially from China :p
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