Yet the very efforts to promote culture are being thwarted by a very different culture - the Singaporean one. The 'kiasu' spirit is now seen as one of the main identifiers of our locals aside from Singlish. It is our 'local' result of the early pushes towards meritocracy and is now part of the very essence of our culture. It is also unfortunately, in my opinion, the antithesis towards developing a cultured nation.

Bold steps such as the construction of the Esplanade and refurbishing of local museums as well as measures such as holding events like Music In The Park and the Cranes To Grains project come to naught in the self-serving face of 'kiasuism'.

Culture cannot be created overnight; it has to be nurtured and inculcated with the proper social structures to support it. The immense amount of litter left behind at Marina Bay after the National Day Parade despite the provision of recycling bags and a tie-in lucky draw from recycling, the state of public toilets that is still found wanting amid the 'Clean Toilets' campaign, the half-empty museums despite the fervent promotions and the daily routine mad rush into MRT trains and buses are testament to this futility.

The behaviour of our locals is in stark contrast to that of residents in Japan or Taiwan, for instance. I was deeply impressed by the courtesy of the locals in Taipei and the orderliness in their comings and goings, especially involving etiquette on board mass transportation, when I visited the country early this year.

Singaporeans have a rather long way to go towards becoming a more 'cultured' nation as being cultured entails more than having museums and extravagant concert halls.

It is also about the behaviour of the man in the street and the social structures that shape his beliefs and attitudes.

Benedict Koh Han Wei