Forum: Excerpts from readers’ letters

Why is surface mail not encouraged?

I recently wanted to send a 500g book by surface mail to Australia and the UK.

The advertisements mention specific dimensions for surface mail. I calculated my postage based on that, and it came to around $6.50. However, when I went to the post office, I was told I had to use airmail. The cost to Australia is $22.50 for the same item.

Why is surface mail not encouraged? A book might cost $25 to buy and another $22 to mail. It’s no wonder bookshops are having a difficult time.

Mike Fleming

In-person meet-ups have a lot of merit

I couldn’t agree more with Ms Nicole Chan’s commentary (Let’s get offline and bring back the culture of the third place, Dec 29).

I was regaling my daughter with stories of how my friends and I would hang out in Orchard Road, and connect in a fun and meaningful way. Many remain best friends.

I recognise that times have changed and many people prefer to “connect” online. But meeting in person does have a lot of merit.

I wish more people would meet in person and put away their phones during meet-ups.

Sebastian Tan Gee How

Banksy in Singapore?

Imagine this: As Singapore wakes up on Aug 9, ready to celebrate its 60th jubilee, a mysterious stencil appears on a wall. It’s unmistakably Banksy. If Banksy were to make an unsanctioned appearance, anti-vandalism laws would place him in serious jeopardy.

 But his global celebrity status raises an interesting dilemma: Would Singapore deploy state resources to unmask him? Would unmasking him enhance the nation’s reputation for law enforcement or cast it as overly rigid, stifling creativity?

Dick Lim