I would also like to add a few comments. In a coffee shop near my home, I had to put up with poor service for many years. When I went to the coffee shop and took a seat, no one would come to take an order. To call the waiter, I had to gesticulate wildly to catch his attention. He would take his own time and come unwillingly with a scowl. If you asked him to clean the table, his face would go black and he would give the table a grudging swipe and leave with 90 per cent of the surface still grimy. If you called him again, woe betide you.

A year ago, the coffee shop was taken over by a woman from China and she revamped the service. At first there were four China workers. They smiled and asked you what you wanted. If you had no order, it was fine. They really cleaned the tables and this is still so. If they were free, they would stand at the four corners of the coffee shop watching the customers in case they needed something. The last time I experienced this level of service was in restaurants in Japan. Today there is only one China girl but the level of service from the Singaporean and foreign workers is still good.

In other outlets too, my experience is that these workers are polite - to everybody.

Actually, I think they are going take away the jobs from our own citizens because they give service and make customers feel welcome. I find that in eateries and department stores and some other establishments, Malaysian, Filipino and China staff give very good service. They are charming and knowledgeable. Local workers should learn from them how to be gracious. This will be good all round. Local workers will improve their people skills and be much sought after. They will benefit. But if they do not change, these foreigners will take away their jobs.

Murali Sharma